Breast cancer is a complex disease with many factors that influence whether the cancer will return or spread, yet few resources exist to help people diagnosed with breast cancer understand these risk factors. In recognizing the need for more education about breast cancer recurrence, Eli Lilly and Company launched a new education campaign in collaboration with Breastcancer.org, For the Breast of Us, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and Susan G. Komen. This campaign aims to educate, support, connect, and empower people diagnosed with early breast cancer (EBC) that has a high risk of recurrence.

More than 290,650 women and 2,710 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the US in 2022. Resources often describe early stage breast cancer as treatable and survivable. However, most people are at some risk of recurrence — and understanding individual risk factors is critical. This new initiative is focused on people diagnosed with the most common subtype of EBC: hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-).

"Too often, the risk of breast cancer coming back or progressing to metastatic disease is not part of the care team discussion as people navigate diagnosis, treatment, and care. We believe patients benefit from open conversations about breast cancer recurrence," said Jean Sachs, CEO, Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). "LBBC is proud to work alongside Breastcancer.org, For the Breast of Us, and Susan G. Komen to collaborate with Lilly in launching this educational campaign."

This initiative provides educational materials and other resources specifically developed for people with HR+, HER2- EBC and their care partners to better understand the complexity of the disease, including the risk of recurrence. The campaign features a digital fact sheet, patient conversation guide, and infographic, all of which explain the clinical characteristics associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and provide tools in planning treatment in partnership with a care team.

"When people are diagnosed with early breast cancer, the initial focus is understandably on selecting and undergoing treatment that will prevent or delay cancer recurrence. However, the risk of developing recurrence may be difficult to comprehend and patients can benefit from additional resources to help understand or augment the information provided by their doctors," said Stacy Moulder, M.D., senior medical director of Lilly Oncology.

Dr. Moulder continued, "This initiative provides patients with comprehensive information on the factors that may affect the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Lilly's collaboration with advocacy organizations, each of which play a vital role in the breast cancer community, will drive the conversation about risk of breast cancer recurrence further and enable patients to have more informed, proactive discussions with their doctors."

Early breast cancer (EBC) is cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or underarm lymph nodes. The most common type of breast cancer is HR+, HER2-. Most EBC is treatable and does not return. However, there are many factors that may influence whether the breast cancer returns.

Breastcancer.org is a leading patient-focused resource for breast health and breast cancer education and support. Their mission is to engage and empower people with research, expert information, and a dynamic peer support community to help them make the best decisions for their lives.

For the Breast of Us is the first online inclusive community for women of colour affected by breast cancer. Our mission is to empower women of colour affected by breast cancer to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives through education, advocacy, and community.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

For more than 50 years, Lilly has been dedicated to delivering life-changing medicines and support to people living with cancer and those who care for them. Lilly is determined to build on this heritage and continue making life better for all those affected by cancer around the world.