Patients with end-stage breast cancer are "abandoned" because of a shortage of nurses

According to Breast Cancer Care, thousands of patients with incurable breast cancer are denied access to a dedicated dedicated nurse.

The figures show that nearly three quarters (72%) of UK NHS Trusts do not provide designated nurses.

Three years ago, the government promised that all cancer patients would have access to a designated nurse by the year 2020.

The Ministry of Health said it was "determined to increase the capacity" of nurses specializing in oncology.

Samia al Qadhi, general manager of the charity Breast Cancer Care, has embarked on the deterioration of patient care.

"Our staggering numbers reveal how much the NHS nursing care for people with incurable breast cancer has stagnated," she said.

"After this life-changing diagnosis, patients continue to be abandoned without the help of a specialist they need to manage complex treatment and debilitating side effects, such as pain. chronic and fatigue. "

The charity contacted the NHS health trusts in the UK and obtained the data under Freedom of Information laws.

I was scared and isolated & # 39;

Jo Myatt, 42, of Chorley, was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer in August 2016, 10 years after primary breast cancer, and after many years of net mammography.

He was told that the cancer had spread to his liver and bones.

"Following my diagnosis, in the space of a 20 minute consultation, I felt that I had lost my identity and my future with those I loved."

"The support after my diagnosis was non-existent.There was no specialized nurse or secondary breast care.A general practitioner told me a Friday night and sent me to the house with my husband with a lack of knowledge and a lack of planning.

"I stayed completely in the dark, scared, isolated and devastated."

Jo had to move from hospital to a specialist nurse last year, which now supports her "physically and emotionally" and is campaigning for more nurses to be available for people with incurable cancer.

"Now, I can just email my nurse about the treatment and the side effects, it's so stressful to try to keep track of all the treatments and appointments, and the Nurse helps me coordinate everything. "

Nurses are the most important aspect of care

There are an estimated 35,000 people with secondary breast cancer (also called metastatic breast cancer, advanced or stage 4), and an estimated 11,500 people die each year.

Some will have a dedicated nurse, while others will have a nurse who splits their time between patients with primary and secondary breast cancer.

The life expectancy of patients with secondary breast cancer varies, but, as treatments improve, more and more people are living longer after the diagnosis, which makes specialized care even more essential.

Ms. Al Qadhi said, "People with incurable breast cancer tell us that access to a specialized nurse is the most important aspect of their care. isolated, forgotten and invisible.

"Today's failures should not be overlooked, and we call on the government to create a secondary support program for incurable breast cancer."