At Breast Cancer Now, we know that many people with incurable secondary breast cancer experience delays in diagnosis, struggle to access the support of a specialist nurse and fear they won’t be able to access the treatment they need in the future.
This can’t go on.
That’s why we launched our secondary breast cancer campaign, which highlights that 11,500 people still die from breast cancer every year in the UK and demands urgent change so that everyone with secondary breast cancer can live well for as long as possible.
We're still pushing for change
Over 70,000 people have already backed the campaign, adding their names to our call for UK Health Leaders to take action.
Thanks to their support, we are already seeing progress on some of the key campaign calls around diagnosis and data.
We are continuing to push for change focusing on specific issues that affect the treatment and care of people living with secondary breast cancer.
We asked over 2,000 people with secondary breast cancer about their experiences. Here's what they told us.
23% had to see their GP three or more times before they were diagnosed.
One in six said they didn’t feel confident they would have access to the most appropriate drug treatments in the future.
A quarter said they had not seen a Clinical Nurse Specialist since diagnosis.
Our Secondary breast cancer campaign wins
Securing a secondary breast cancer audit in England and Wales
After 15 years of campaigning for better data collection, we finally secured a secondary breast cancer audit.
Helping GPs to spot secondary breast cancer
We worked with Gateway C, a free online education platform, to develop a course for GPs to improve their confidence in diagnosing potential cases.
Access to new secondary breast cancer drugs
We make sure the experiences of patients are heard by NICE and the SMC. Leading to new drugs like trastuzumab deruxtecan being made available on the Cancer Drugs Fund.
Until we're seen. Until we're heard. Until we're known. Until things change.
Our letters to politicians
Scottish party letter
Ahead of the Scottish Elections 2021, we wrote to the leader of political parties setting out our urgent recommendations.
Welsh party leaders
Ahead of the Senedd Elections 2021, we wrote to the leaders of the main political parties in Wales setting out our urgent recommendations.
Cancer minister
To mark a year since we handed our petition calling for urgent action to improve treatment and care, we wrote to Jo Churchill, Cancer Minister, to outline the changes that are still needed.
Any questions?
Find out more information about our campaign by reading our campaign frequently asked questions.
My world collapsed when I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. While we are here and breathing, it is not too late to make an impact and influence change.
Jo, diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2016