South Down MLA Colin McGrath has supported calls on the UK government to create a Secondary Support Package to be rolled out across the UK for people living with secondary breast cancer.
Mr McGrath said: “I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are eager to see the government roll out this support package. Secondary breast cancer (stage four advanced) occurs when breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. It is not curable, but can be treated and the survival rate is approximately two to three years.
“I commend the excellent work carried out by Breast Cancer Care’s “Secondary, Not Second Best” campaign which found that people living with this disease have experienced inferior care to those living with a primary breast cancer diagnosis. Their research has unearthed some shocking results, which are:
* There are no HSC trusts that offer people with secondary breast cancer access to a dedicated secondary breast cancer nurse,
* 75% of HSC trusts are not assessing peoples emotional and physical needs at diagnosis,
* 50% cannot say how many people with secondary breast cancer they are supporting,
* and 75% do not offer patients access to a tailored health and well-being event.
“I know the health service is stretched at the minute but surely we should be doing all that we can to ensure as positive a quality of life as possible for people living with such a diagnosis.”
Mournes Councillor Laura Devlin added: ”For anyone to receive a cancer diagnosis – it is life changing and an extremely difficult time – physically, emotionally and mentally. It is imperative that those going through such trauma get the best possible support.”
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