Tackling a Challenge: Breast Cancer in Women with Dense Breasts

Young Cancer Professionals Roundtable

 

In the European Union, detecting breast cancer early can mean a 96% survival rate instead of a 38% rate. But dense breast tissue makes detection difficult, causing missed diagnoses, delayed detection, and the need for more invasive treatments with poorer outcomes. 

 

An estimated 40% to 50% of women over 40 have dense breasts, and the rate is even higher among younger women. Urgent action is needed to protect women across Europe.  

 

The European Cancer Organisation’s Young Cancer Professionals and the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) are hosting the upcoming roundtable on how screening policies across Europe can better serve women with dense breasts, save lives, and improve their quality of life after treatment. 

 

The online event will unite young breast oncologists, patient representatives, and policymakers on Wednesday 8 October, between 16:00-17:30 CEST.  Register now to be part of the conversation.  

08 October 2025 16:00 - 17:30 CEST

Online

YCP x EUSOBI RT Poster

‘I got regular mammograms, but my lobular breast cancer was invisible on the mammogram, even on the day before surgery. I have dense breast tissue and a family history of cancer. If only a gynaecologist had informed me that I needed occasional MRIs, I would have paid for them myself and spared myself the mastectomy, lymph node removal, and the complications that followed.’

Breast cancer, Finland

‘I had two clear mammograms in 2012 and 2013, but in 2014, after a biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lobular breast cancer. My cancer wasn’t detected through mammogram or ultrasound, only through an MRI. I later had a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Unfortunately, in 2022, my cancer metastasised to my omentum. My initial diagnosis was missed due to my dense breast tissue.’

Breast cancer, Ireland

Improved cancer screening programmes which include young women, accompanied by improved data collection and the application of cancer prevention strategies when they are most effective, are all essential to ensuring similar stories are not repeated anywhere in Europe again.

Join this special Roundtable to hear more about the effectiveness and limitations of breast imaging, treatment approaches, patient management and more as well as to share your insights with young cancer professionals.

Register now! 

Related Resources

  • Young Cancer Professionals
    visit
  • European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI)
    visit
  • Screening Experiences
    visit

Speakers

  • Christos Poulios Pathologist, Steering Committee Member, ECO Young Cancer Professionals & Education Manager of the European Society of Pathology  
  • Paola Clauser Radiologist and Deputy Head of Urogenital Imaging Section, Medical University of Vienna & Co-founder, EUSOBI Young Club
  • Thiemo van Nijnatten Nuclear Radiologist, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Balázs Ács Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet
  • Ina Suppan Breast Cancer Surgeon, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz & Vice-Chair of ECO’s Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network
  • Bengi Kepkep Breast cancer survivor and Board Member, Europa Donna

Speakers

  • Christos Poulios Pathologist, Steering Committee Member, ECO Young Cancer Professionals & Education Manager of the European Society of Pathology  
  • Paola Clauser Radiologist and Deputy Head of Urogenital Imaging Section, Medical University of Vienna & Co-founder, EUSOBI Young Club
  • Thiemo van Nijnatten Nuclear Radiologist, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Balázs Ács Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet
  • Ina Suppan Breast Cancer Surgeon, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz & Vice-Chair of ECO’s Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network
  • Bengi Kepkep Breast cancer survivor and Board Member, Europa Donna
  • Christos Poulios Pathologist, Steering Committee Member, ECO Young Cancer Professionals & Education Manager of the European Society of Pathology   Read Bio
  • Paola Clauser Radiologist and Deputy Head of Urogenital Imaging Section, Medical University of Vienna & Co-founder, EUSOBI Young Club Read Bio
  • Thiemo van Nijnatten Nuclear Radiologist, Maastricht University Medical Center Read Bio
  • Balázs Ács Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet Read Bio
  • Ina Suppan Breast Cancer Surgeon, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz & Vice-Chair of ECO’s Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network
  • Bengi Kepkep Breast cancer survivor and Board Member, Europa Donna

Speakers

  • Christos Poulios Pathologist, Steering Committee Member, ECO Young Cancer Professionals & Education Manager of the European Society of Pathology  
  • Paola Clauser Radiologist and Deputy Head of Urogenital Imaging Section, Medical University of Vienna & Co-founder, EUSOBI Young Club
  • Thiemo van Nijnatten Nuclear Radiologist, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Balázs Ács Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet
  • Ina Suppan Breast Cancer Surgeon, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz & Vice-Chair of ECO’s Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network
  • Bengi Kepkep Breast cancer survivor and Board Member, Europa Donna

Programme

16:00-16:05
Welcome and introductions by Roundtable Co-Chairs

 
  • Christos Poulios, Pathologist, Steering Committee Member, ECO Young Cancer Professionals group & Education Manager of the European Society of Pathology   
  • Paola Clauser, Radiologist and Deputy Head of Urogenital Imaging Section, Medical University of Vienna & Co-founder, EUSOBI Young Club
16:05-16:20
Effectiveness and limitations of breast imaging in young patients and patients with dense breasts

 
  • Thiemo van Nijnatten, Nuclear Radiologist, Maastricht University Medical Center 
16:20-16:35
Pathophysiology of breast cancer in the context of dense breast 

 
  • Balázs Ács, Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet 
16:35- 16:45
Open discussion and Q&A
16:45-17:00
Treatment approach and patient management in the context of young breast cancer patients

 
  • Ina Suppan, Breast Cancer Surgeon, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz and Vice-Chair of ECO’s Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network 
17:00-17:15
Patient representative to share their views
 
  •  Bengi Kepkep, Breast cancer survivor and Board Member, Europa Donna 
17:15-17:25
Open discussion and Q&A
17:25-17:30
Closing remarks by Co-Chairs

Speakers

  • Christos Poulios Pathologist, Steering Committee Member, ECO Young Cancer Professionals & Education Manager of the European Society of Pathology  
  • Paola Clauser Radiologist and Deputy Head of Urogenital Imaging Section, Medical University of Vienna & Co-founder, EUSOBI Young Club
  • Thiemo van Nijnatten Nuclear Radiologist, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Balázs Ács Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet
  • Ina Suppan Breast Cancer Surgeon, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz & Vice-Chair of ECO’s Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network
  • Bengi Kepkep Breast cancer survivor and Board Member, Europa Donna

Speakers

  • Christos Poulios Pathologist, Steering Committee Member, ECO Young Cancer Professionals & Education Manager of the European Society of Pathology  
  • Paola Clauser Radiologist and Deputy Head of Urogenital Imaging Section, Medical University of Vienna & Co-founder, EUSOBI Young Club
  • Thiemo van Nijnatten Nuclear Radiologist, Maastricht University Medical Center
  • Balázs Ács Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet
  • Ina Suppan Breast Cancer Surgeon, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Graz & Vice-Chair of ECO’s Health Systems and Quality Cancer Care Network
  • Bengi Kepkep Breast cancer survivor and Board Member, Europa Donna