Co-Chairs of the Group, Annette Brooke, MP and Steve Brine, MP joined representatives from Breast Cancer Care, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Campaign in voicing their concerns on a range of issues including collection of data on the numbers of people living with secondary (advanced) breast cancer and access to one-to-one support from Clinical Nurse Specialists.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK with one person diagnosed every 11 minutes. Over 46,000 people and their families are affected by the disease each year.
Leading support charity, Breast Cancer Care has been campaigning to improve support and care for secondary breast cancer patients for four years through the work of its Secondary Breast Cancer Taskforce. The collection of accurate data on the number of people living with the disease has been a key call for the campaign.
Jane Hatfield, Director of Policy and Research at Breast Cancer Care said: “We’re so pleased that the Prime Minister and the Health Minister took the time to hear the concerns of the breast cancer patients our charities represent.
“We know that secondary breast cancer patients in particular have been shamefully unaccounted for and as a result, have been failing to get the emotional and practical support they need.
“Guessing really isn’t good enough so we’re very pleased to have raised this important issue with the Ministers. While progress is being made, we hope to see the importance of data collection recognised in the forthcoming Cancer Reform Strategy.”
Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow said: "I am pleased we have had such a positive meeting and look forward to continuing to work with all those involved on these important issues."
Steve Brine commented: “I know that there will be countless families across my constituency who have been affected by breast cancer, either personally or through the experience of a friend, family member or work colleague.
"I was pleased to be able to raise the issues that matter to people with breast cancer with the Ministers and to make sure their needs are kept on the agenda."
Pictured; Steve and the party join David Cameron and Paul Burstow (2nd left) in Downing Street
More information...
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer is a cross-party group, Co-Chaired by Annette Brooke MP, Sharon Hodgson MP and Steve Brine MP. The Secretariat to the Group is provided by Breakthrough Breast Cancer and supported by Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Campaign.
A diagnosis of advanced or secondary breast cancer means that the breast cancer cells have travelled to another part of the body such as the liver, lungs or bones. Secondary breast cancer is not curable but thanks to advances in medical treatments the disease can be controlled for many months and in some cases years.
Breast Cancer Care is here for anyone affected by breast cancer. We bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved standards of care. We use our understanding of people's experience of breast cancer and our clinical expertise in everything we do. Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer funds ground-breaking research, campaign for better services and treatments and raise awareness of breast cancer. Through this work the charity believes passionately that breast cancer can be beaten and the fear of the disease removed for good. Find more information at www.breakthrough.org.uk
Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure. Currently it supports 108 research projects, worth almost £16.5 million, in 41 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland. Visit www.breastcancercampaign.org.