Justin Tomlinson MP listened to the concerns of women with secondary breast cancer on the first ever awareness day to mark the condition, Wednesday 13 October.
Breast Cancer Care held the UK’s first Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day which included a meeting at Westminster between women with the condition and MPs. Justin Tomlinson MP attended the meeting to talk to the women about what it is like to live with secondary breast cancer.
Andy Burnham MP and Annette Brooke MP both spoke at the event, also attended by other MPs and around 20 women living with breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Care is calling for accurate data on the numbers of people living with secondary breast cancer in order to be able to provide care and services where they are needed.
MP for North Swindon Justin said:
“I am proud to have been part of the first ever Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day in the UK. Meeting these women highlighted how much needs to be done to improve their quality of care and be able to offer more support and information to anyone given this devastating diagnosis.
“Having heard how isolated these women feel, I am glad to back Breast Cancer Care’s call for accurate numbers of people living with secondary breast cancer to be provided.”
Jane Hatfield, Director of Policy and Research at Breast Cancer Care, said:
“We are very grateful to have the support of Justin Tomlinson MP. Until we get a clear picture of how many people in the UK are living with secondary breast cancer it will be very difficult for us – and others - to provide the best support and services possible. The support of Justin will strengthen our campaign to put the spotlight on women with secondary breast cancer and ensure they get the best possible care”.