This article was authored by INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute

The Breast Cancer Biology Research Group at the INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute and the Breast Cancer Unit at the Hospital Clínico de Valencia have organised a third meeting with patient associations to address this disease with a comprehensive approach, informing about the current state of research to advance in prevention, early detection, and personalised treatments, and highlighting the patients’ perspective to improve their emotional management and ensure their quality of life.

The goal of the meeting was to bring breast cancer research conducted at INCLIVA closer to patients, providing participants with the opportunity to express their doubts and concerns related to the course of their disease and recovery. The meeting was held at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Valencia (UV), with the participation of representatives from various associations, including Asociación de Cáncer de Mama Metastásico, Mou-Te per Elles, Asociación de Mama Triple Negativo-Las Triples, and Cáncer con Limón, as well as patients participating in INCLIVA research projects such as REBECCA and MELIORA.

The meeting included three presentations, which concluded with a round table and incorporated, as a novelty compared to previous editions, three workshops for patients, allowing the exchange of knowledge and information on prevention, diagnosis, and more effective therapies not only in terms of survival but also in terms of impact on their daily lives.

Throughout the morning, general aspects of citizen participation (importance, benefits, and challenges) were also discussed, as well as the different approaches in health R&D. Additionally, attendees reflected on how INCLIVA research groups can work together with citizens on the design and execution of their projects.

In her presentation ‘Looking to the Future: REBECCA and MELIORA’, Marta Tapia Céspedes, from the Breast Cancer Biology Research Group at INCLIVA and the Breast Cancer Unit at the Hospital Clínico de Valencia, explained the objectives of these European projects in which INCLIVA participates. In this regard, she recalled the purpose of REBECCA, which investigates chronic diseases induced by breast cancer based on real data obtained from multiple sources, relying on a technological tool that work with information received directly by patients about their lifestyle – physical activity, diet, sleep quality, time spent working, resting, and commuting. The information is obtained through the use of smart devices – such as mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches – to integrate it into patients’ clinical history and thus better impact their treatment.

Marta also referred to MELIORA, and our work on developing AI-driven interventions designed to advance breast cancer prevention through digital health innovation, to reduce the risk of this disease through personalised lifestyle changes.

Marta de la Fuente Lago, a health psychologist and psycho-oncologist from MFL Psicología in La Coruña specialised in anxiety and stress, focused on ‘The Emotional Impact of Breast Cancer,’ which is based on the evidence that “an oncological process is an emotional journey where intense emotions are experienced, and we do not always have the resources to manage them”. In her presentation, she invited to reflect and train on practical tools to recognise, express, and regulate emotions, creating support spaces where patients can share, understand, and learn to regulate their emotions.

Eva Tamayo, from the Exercise, Nutrition, and Healthy Lifestyle Research Group at INCLIVA and the Freshage Research Group at the University of Valencia and the Biomedical Research Network Center for Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES) of the Carlos III Health Institute, highlighted in her intervention ‘Physical Exercise and Cancer’ the benefits that physical exercise has when it comes to breast cancer. In this regard, she indicated guidelines and recommendations on the type of exercises, duration and frequency, as well as contraindications and some tips for practice.

Finally, she spoke about a new project called ‘KETO-BREX,’ which her research group is developing in coordination with the Breast Cancer Biology Research Group at INCLIVA. In this project, a personalised multimodal prehabilitation programme based on lifestyle modification (supervised multicomponent physical exercise and ketogenic diet) will be carried out along with the prescription of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the intention of modifying the metabolism of breast cancer patients and obtaining therapeutic benefits.

Workshops for breast cancer patients

Patients who attended the meeting were able to choose to participate in one of the three workshops organised, with the collaboration of UV, which provided a space for the celebration of one of them.

Jesús Adolfo Alarcón, PhD in Physical Activity and Sport, professor at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, and specialist in exercise prescription for health, led the workshop ‘Physical Exercise for Breast Cancer Patients.’ The workshop combined a theoretical part, explaining how physical activity contributes to improving quality of life, reducing fatigue, and enhancing recovery, with a practical part where he showcased exercises and strategies for incorporating such practices into daily life. This initiative aimed to empower participants with safe and effective tools to stay active during and after treatment.

In her workshop on ‘Emotional Management’ linked to her previous intervention, Marta de la Fuente Lago, focused on sexuality in the context of cancer, an aspect often silenced but profoundly important for people who experience the disease. In this workshop, participants explored changes, doubts, and resources that can help rebuild the connection with one’s body, desire, and intimacy from a respectful and inclusive perspective.

Esther Jiménez, health psychologist and founder of SAFE Psicología center in Madrid, a specialist in sexology, couple therapy, and trauma, also led a workshop on sexuality. In this experiential workshop, she proposed opening a safe space for women who have gone through breast cancer and are in treatment or recovery stage, where they can talk without taboos about sexuality, desire, and their body. Through practical activities and dialogue spaces, participants were invited to reconnect with pleasure and redefine the relationship with their own body with intimacy, respect, and self-listening.

Bringing science closer to society: CONECTA INCLIVA

This meeting with breast cancer patient associations is part of the European projects REBECCA and MELIORA, funded respectively by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (GA 965231) and Horizon Europe (GA 101136791).

Additionally, the event is part of the CONECTA INCLIVA initiative, launched in 2020 to connect research and society while promoting more inclusive research and innovation. This initiative ensures that civil society has a voice and is actively heard, playing a more significant role in all phases of research and innovation. The action aligns with the pillars of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and INCLIVA’s commitment to translational research.