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Julia Ruthus: What does holistic survivorship care in metastatic breast cancer look like?

Julia Ruthus/LinkedIn

Apr 4, 2025, 15:12

Julia Ruthus: What does holistic survivorship care in metastatic breast cancer look like?

Julia Ruthus, Head of Training Oncology Europe at Daiichi Sankyo Europe, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“What does holistic survivorship care in metastatic breast cancer look like?

I believe that cancer care is about more than just managing symptoms – it’s about comprehensive support for the patient as a whole.

Women with breast cancer face a range of physical, emotional, financial and work-related challenges from diagnosis onwards, with these challenges often intensified for those with metastatic disease.

In collaboration with a range of multi-disciplinary experts, Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH have sponsored a report by The Economist. Impact on the importance of women-centred breast cancer care, which found that comprehensive patient care often falls short in many of these areas.

Stigma associated with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) can lead to social exclusion, alienation, and discrimination at work, which can deeply affect patients’ quality of life and the likelihood that they will take actions to prevent or treat their health problems.[i]

I have seen from my work that personalised, holistic approaches to care can significantly reduce feelings of isolation and can promote or facilitate healthcare-seeking behaviours.

Daiichi Sankyo are committed to advocating for healthcare models that view survivorship support as an essential aspect of cancer care.

Together, we can ensure that people living with breast cancer feel supported in every aspect of their cancer experience.”

Julia Ruthus

Markus Kosch, Head Oncology Europe and at Daiichi Sankyo Europe, shared this post, adding:

“Indeed, the economist report underlines the need for a holistic approach and the importance of the psycho-social aspects of breast cancer and survivorship. Fully agree!”