On 7 October 2026, one day before the start of the 3rd TETRIS General Assembly in Stockholm, representatives of the TETRIS consortium visited Bröstcancerföreningen Amazona Stockholm, Sweden’s largest breast cancer patient association, for an afternoon dedicated to learning, sharing experiences and strengthening collaboration.
The visit brought together project partners from Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano (INT), Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (UniSR), Karolinska University Hospital and Cuore di Donna, the Italian Association also part of the Patient Association Board, offering an opportunity to learn more about the association, its activities and its commitment to supporting people affected by breast cancer.
A place where no one faces breast cancer alone
Amazona’s work is guided by the vision that no one should suffer from breast cancer. Its mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to the best available breast cancer care, with a promise that lies at the heart of everything the association does “No one should be alone with their breast cancer.”
During the afternoon, accompanied by a traditional Swedish fika (Swedish coffee break with something sweet) members of Amazona introduced the TETRIS delegation to the many activities carried out by the association.
These include supporting patients in hospitals, organising activities and meetings at the association’s premises, and reaching out to communities across Stockholm, including people from minority and migrant backgrounds who may face language, cultural or social barriers when accessing healthcare and support.
What Amazona is making with people lied on the reason that many of its members have experienced breast cancer themselves and this shared experience creates an environment in which people diagnosed with the disease can find understanding, reassurance and a sense of belonging. Over time, they come to feel that they are surrounded by close friends rather than people they have met simply because they share the same diagnosis.
Listening to experiences beyond clinical care
The discussions also highlighted the complex personal and social challenges that can accompany a breast cancer diagnosis. Amzona shared several stories: young women facing cancer before having had children, and the particular emotional and practical challenges this can bring, women from different cultural backgrounds, including situations where religious beliefs, misinformation or cultural expectations may influence decisions about treatment and many more.
These stories offered a powerful reminder that breast cancer care extends beyond diagnosis and medical treatment and TETRIS partners had the opportunity to listen directly to people with lived experience of breast cancer and reflect on the importance of patient-centred communication, accessibility and inclusion in research and healthcare.
For researchers, clinicians and all people in general, understanding patients’ circumstances, fears, expectations and cultural backgrounds is essential to providing meaningful support and ensuring that no one is left behind.
From patient support to European research: REBECCA and MELIORA
The afternoon concluded with presentations of two European research projects in which Amazona has been actively involved as a project partner, demonstrating how patient associations can contribute directly to research and innovation:
- REBECCA – REsearch on BrEast Cancer induced chronic conditions supported by Causal Analysis of multi-source data
- MELIORA – Multimodal Engagement and sustainable Lifestyle Interventions Optimizing breast cancer Risk reduction supported by Artificial Intelligence
The first one, funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, aiming to improve post-treatment care and quality of life for people affected by breast cancer, has been recently concluded. For more info, click here REBECCA Project.
The second one, it’s an Horizon 2024–2027 with the aim to reduce the risk of developing or experiencing a recurrence of breast cancer by promoting sustainable lifestyle changes through AI-supported tools. Info on the project, here MELIORA Project
🎗️Bringing patients’ voices closer to research and researchers
The visit to Amazona has been particularly meaningful and reinforced the value of bringing patient perspectives into research, ensuring that scientific and technological developments remain connected to the needs of the people they are intended to benefit.
A special thank you goes to Bröstcancerföreningen Amazona Stockholm and all its members who welcomed the TETRIS delegation, shared their experiences and introduced us to the association’s work.
Their openness, dedication and commitment to supporting people affected by breast cancer made this visit an important moment of learning and exchange for the entire group.
We left Amazona with a deeper understanding of the value of listening, supporting and involving patients and a renewed commitment to keeping their voices at the centre of TETRIS.
Thank you!
To learn more about Amazona and its activities, visit the website: www.amazona.se
