A new YouGov survey undertaken by the charity, Make 2nds Count, has shown 42 per of adults in the West Midlands have never heard of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and 31 per cent don’t know what any of the signs and symptoms are.
This is despite it being leading cause of death for UK women between the ages of 40-59.
The ‘Truth Be Told’ campaign is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and was created in recognition of Secondary (metastatic) Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13.
Secondary (metastatic) breast cancer affects an estimated 61,000 people in the UK, but remains under-recognised and under-discussed.
It’s an incurable form of cancer that spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body, often bringing immense emotional, physical and mental toll to patients and their families.
An estimated 1,000 women in the UK die from the disease every month.
Figures of how many women and men are actually living with the disease are estimated because data collection is inaccurate and patchy across the UK.
Audits are being attempted across some of the four nations with only Northern Ireland currently having accurate data, so that services and support can be more adequately provided.
Diane Ellingham, 60, from Birmingham was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 after finding a lump in her breast. During a routine scan it was revealed that the disease had already spread to her spine, ribs, and neck.
She said: “My diagnosis came not just as a shock, but as a complete emotional blindside – the result of incidental findings and a hidden spread of the disease.
“I didn’t understand any of it at first as I didn’t know cancer could move through the body like that or that I could live with it even though it was incurable.
“I thought “secondary” meant it had come back to the breast. No one explained it properly to me – I had to go and research it myself.
“This is why I want to be part of this campaign. We need to educate people. Yes, secondary breast cancer is incurable – but it is treatable.
“Despite living with advanced cancer in my bones, I’ve been stable for six years on my first line of treatment. We need to help people understand what living with cancer really means – the ups and downs, the day-to-day.
“Ask someone what their treatment is like. Ask how they feel. There’s a huge gap between what people expect cancer to look like and what it can actually be like, especially when symptoms are invisible.
“We need to break these stereotypes.”
Despite the charity’s ongoing drive to improve awareness, the statistics also indicate regional uncertainty around the disease.
More than a quarter (26 per cent) of the West Midlands adults believe secondary (metastatic) breast cancer can (wrongly) be cured and only 10 per cent selected the correct range “1,000 to 1,999” for the approximate number of people secondary (metastatic) breast cancer kills every month.
Make 2nds Count is a UK patient and family focused charity dedicated to supporting those affected by secondary (metastatic) breast cancer also known as ‘stage 4’ or ‘advanced breast cancer’.
Sam Dixon, CEO of Make 2nds Count, said: “’Truth Be Told’ is more than an awareness initiative – it’s a movement of empowerment which aims to give hope. This disease is real, relentless – and invisible to so many.
“Our goal is to ensure that the voices of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in the West Midlands are heard, respected, and supported.
“This research shows that a high percentage of adults in the West Midlands have never even heard of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer even though approximately 1,000 people die UK wide every month from the disease.
“We’re here to change that and give a voice to the unseen struggles of this community and show their strength through our campaign.”
The poll also highlighted that:
● 29 per cent of the West Midlands adults didn’t know if men can get secondary (metastatic) breast cancer or not.
● 39 per cent of the West Midlands men didn’t know if they can get secondary (metastatic) breast cancer or not.
At the heart of Truth Be Told is a striking collection of photographic portraits, which includes Diane, by renowned Irish photographer Jennifer Willis.
It provides a candid look at the lived experience of those with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and captures the strength, vulnerability, and authenticity of those individuals living with the disease in an unfiltered way.
The campaign is part of the charity’s broader vision to support people with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer live longer and better lives.
It provides advice about treatment options and clinical trials, connects patients through peer-to-peer and online support groups, wellbeing activities, and retreats and funds research, supporting more than 2,000 patients a year.
For more information about the Truth Be Told campaign or to get involved, visit https://bcam.make2ndscount.co.uk
