Steve Brine hosted an event in Parliament with Breast Cancer Care on Wednesday 15th October after a survey by the charity revealed that the majority (90%) of secondary breast cancer patients are experiencing physical pain, many almost daily.
As part of Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day (October 13th), Steve, who co-chairs the All Party Group for Breast Cancer, encouraged fellow MPs to meet with women who have been diagnosed with the disease, and find out about the charity's campaign and petition.
Alarmingly, the survey findings reveal that two-fifths (41%) have never been offered a referral to a palliative care team by their healthcare professional. So Breast Cancer Care is calling for healthcare professionals to make all secondary breast cancer patients aware, at the point of diagnosis, how palliative care can help to manage their pain.
Steve Brine MP said: "It is extremely important to be showing my support for secondary breast cancer patients today. These survey findings are very shocking and more must be done to ensure these patients are receiving prompt referral for palliative care, before it's too late. I would encourage my constituents to back Breast Cancer Care's campaign and sign their petition."
The poll of more than 200 people living with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis - where the cancer has spread and although can be controlled, cannot be cured – found that more than three-quarters (78%) said they couldn't undertake normal activities like housework or childcare and two-thirds (70%) said it had an impact on their relationships and intimacy.
Eleanor Meade, 56, who received a secondary breast cancer diagnosis in 2008, says: "I only heard about palliative care through speaking to other women who had secondary breast cancer and I feel that's unacceptable. I needed it much sooner than that. In my opinion women, or men, with secondary breast cancer should be informed that the hospice, where many palliative care experts are based, has the facilities to make their lives much easier very early on in the diagnosis."
Diana Jupp, Director of Services and Campaigns at Breast Cancer Care, says: "We want to say a huge thank you to Steve for coming along to our event and showing his support. This is an incredibly important issue. We speak to more women living with secondary breast cancer than any other organisation and we know they feel their support and care is second rate.
"This survey shows just how many secondary breast cancer patients are struggling on in excruciating pain and, because of a lack of timely access to palliative care, not receiving the care and support they need.
"We want secondary breast cancer to be a priority on the health agenda, only then will this group of patients begin to have the support and care they need to help them as they live with their diagnosis."
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