Thousands of patients with end-stage breast cancer have been dropped due to the shortage of NHS nurses

Thousands of patients with terminal breast cancer are left "abandoned" in the face of a shortage of specialized nurses, said Breast Cancer Care.

The charity has published figures showing that nearly three quarters (72%) of NHS trusts in the UK do not provide dedicated nurses.

He said that trusts providing critical nursing care had only increased by 7% in the two years since the last survey.

Despite the government's cancer control strategy, which promised three years ago, all cancer patients have access to a designated nurse by 2020.

"Our staggering results reveal just how much NHS nursing care for people with incurable breast cancer has stagnated," said Breast Cancer Care Executive Director Samia al Qadhi.

"After this critical diagnosis that limits the lives of patients, patients continue to be abandoned without the ongoing, specialized support they need to manage complex treatment and debilitating side effects, such as chronic pain and fatigue." .

"People living with incurable breast cancer tell us that access to a specialized nurse is the most important aspect of their care. Without this, they feel isolated, forgotten and invisible.

"So, today's failures should not be swept under the rug."

Ms. Qadhi called on the government to provide funding so that everyone has access to the specialized support they need, when they need it.

The charity also found that 40% of the trusts were unable to say how many breast cancer patients were currently in their care.

More than 70% do not assess people's emotional and physical needs at diagnosis and throughout their treatment, and 80% do not give all patients a summary at the end of each treatment, including how they are treated. answered.

There are an estimated 35,000 people with secondary breast cancer in the UK and an estimated 11,500 people die each year.