Reducing stigma, isolation, and misconceptions in advanced breast cancer: a global expert review and call-to-action...

Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC), people living with the disease continue to experience profound social isolation on a global scale. The multifaceted physical, financial, and emotional challenges inherent to ABC are frequently misunderstood or underestimated, resulting in persistent stigma, social exclusion, and an elevated risk of adverse mental health outcomes for affected individuals. Misconceptions regarding ABC among healthcare professionals (HCPs) or the public exacerbate these challenges and further compound the overall disease burden. This manuscript examines how stigma, social isolation, and misconceptions surrounding ABC have evolved globally since 2015. It summarizes research conducted for the ABC Global Alliance's Global Decade Report 2.0. The main findings are: a) Online mentions of ABC are increasing, but remain lower than general breast cancer; b) Despite progress, social and workplace stigma still impacts people with ABC; c) Stigma and isolation associated with ABC varies by geography and income level; d) Awareness of ABC has improved, but misconceptions persist. The findings from the ABC Global Alliance's Global Decade Report 2.0 have informed the development of a new ABC Global Charter. The ABC Global Charter 2.0 defines ten new achievable and measurable goals for the decade 2025-2035, aiming at improving the lives of people living with ABC worldwide.