Justin and Liz in Westminster
Justin Tomlinson MP today met fellow local resident and Assistant Director of Services at Breast Cancer Care, Liz Carroll, to mark Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day 2012 (13 October) and tro discuss awareness of and support for secondary breast cancer patients in England, particularly in Swindon.
This year, 13 October once again marked Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day, where people across the UK came together to shine a spotlight on secondary breast cancer and call for improvements in the care of people with a secondary diagnosis.
The meeting was a chance to discuss how, for the many thousands of people living with secondary breast cancer, the support, treatment and care available in local hospitals can vary hugely, with many patients not receiving the best possible standard of care.
Breast Cancer Care is calling for all breast cancer patients to get the same high standard of support and care as part of its ‘Spotlight on Secondary Breast Cancer’ campaign. The Standards of Care, developed by Breast Cancer Care with the help of other experts in the field and women living with secondary breast cancer, outline high-quality care the charity believes all people with secondary breast cancer, like those with primary breast cancer, should receive.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "I will be signing up to these Standards of Care and helping to share them with the new Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group so that when they take full responsibility for health services locally, we can make sure that Swindon women receive the best possible care."
Liz Carroll, Assistant Director of Services at Breast Cancer Care and Swindon resident said ‘In a time of immense change in the NHS and pressure on resources it’s essential that secondary breast cancer patients are not forgotten. This October marks the third UK-wide Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day. We want to shine a spotlight on women living with secondary breast cancer, whose needs and issues are different to people with a primary diagnosis. It’s vital they get the care and support to which they are entitled.’
For more information and support on secondary breast cancer and Breast Cancer Care’s Spotlight campaign and to read or contribute to ‘day in the life’ accounts of real people living with secondary breast cancer, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/secondary