Interview with PD Dr. Constanze Elfgen about the Breast Health Podcast

To mark the launch of the Breast Health Podcast, PD Dr. Constanze Elfgen shares her vision, experience, and commitment to improving information and awareness around breast cancer.

What motivated you to start this podcast on breast health?

Until now, there has been no podcast in Switzerland that covers breast health in such a comprehensive way. We don’t only talk about breast cancer treatment, but also about early detection, benign changes, hormones, and many other topics. Our goal is to provide clear and reliable information while creating a reassuring and encouraging atmosphere.

Who is this podcast aimed at?

At anyone who is interested. Unfortunately, breast cancer is very common and affects a large number of women as well as their families. We also want to raise awareness about prevention and measures to maintain breast health. The podcast can also be helpful for healthcare professionals who are not specialised in senology.

Which topics will be covered?

The series begins with key topics: early detection, mammography, understanding a breast cancer diagnosis, and patient stories. In the upcoming episodes, we will also discuss breast surgery, integrative medicine, hormones, and many other aspects related to breast health.

Who are your guests?

We will invite patients, physicians from various specialties, researchers, and other experts. The idea is to offer a diverse and comprehensive perspective that is medical, scientific, and human at the same time.

What kind of feedback do you expect from your listeners?

I hope the podcast will be well received. We want to provide answers based on clinical experience and the latest scientific findings. Personal stories should also show listeners that they are not alone in their journey.

As a specialist in senology, how do you perceive the evolution of breast cancer treatment?

A lot has changed over the past twenty years. Today, the needs of patients are better taken into account, and therapeutic approaches are more tailored to each individual. We also have new medications and more targeted treatments. In addition, there are more female physicians in this field, and the understanding of the patient’s perspective has evolved.

Which misconceptions would you like to address with this podcast?

There are still many myths and false beliefs about breast cancer, especially regarding early detection through mammography or the supposed causes of the disease. We want to help correct these misconceptions by sharing reliable, scientifically grounded information.

How do you integrate the human and emotional dimension into your daily practice?

This is a central aspect. I am grateful for this wonderful profession, because we often manage to detect breast cancer at an early stage and therefore cure it. Seeing patients healthy again years after treatment is incredibly fulfilling. Of course, there are difficult moments too, but the human and personal support means a great deal to me.

What does Pink October mean to you as a doctor and as a woman?

It is an important month that puts breast health in the spotlight and reminds us how essential it is to talk about it. For a long time, breast diseases were a taboo. Today, awareness and visibility have helped women cope better with the illness.

Which measures do you consider most effective for raising awareness about prevention?

The key is information shared through different channels. Pink October is an excellent opportunity to spread these messages and reach a wide audience.

What is the most important message you want to convey this year?

The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chances of recovery. My wish is that all women have access to early detection.

Can you share an experience that has particularly shaped you during your career?

I once cared for a young patient, barely thirty years old, who had developed an aggressive form of breast cancer. She had to undergo intensive treatments and several surgeries. I accompanied her for many months. Despite the difficulties, she never lost her optimism. A few years later, after completing her treatment, she became pregnant. When she visited me with her baby in her arms, radiant with happiness, I was deeply moved.

How has breast cancer treatment evolved in recent years?

Thanks to early detection, we diagnose the disease more often at an early stage, which means fewer aggressive treatments such as radical surgery or chemotherapy are needed. We also have more targeted therapies today, such as antibody treatments, which allow for even more personalised care.

More and more young women are affected. How do you explain this?

We do not yet have all the answers. Scientists believe that lifestyle changes may play a role. Increased awareness has also likely contributed to more frequent diagnoses in younger patients.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and leave a 5‑star rating to help increase its visibility and reach even more listeners.

PD Dr. Constanze Elfgen – Biography

Dr. Constanze Elfgen is a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics with recognised expertise in senology. After completing her medical studies at Philipps University Marburg (2004), she worked in several hospitals in Germany and Switzerland, including the University Hospital Zurich.

In 2015, she joined the Breast Center Zurich as a specialist, and in 2019 she became Head of the Breast Surgery Department. She is a member of the medical advisory board as well as the centre’s board of directors.

She holds certification as a breast surgeon from the German Cancer Society and the Senology Diploma of the Swiss Society of Senology. She is active in research and teaching, has published numerous works on breast cancer, and led the MIBB working group.