Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
Research. Support. Education.
Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
29th December 2024 by Melanie Tolson
Our Patient Trial Advocate Service (PTA) - the first of its kind in the UK - has continued to expand in 2024. Senior oncology nurse Mel, who joined the team permanently in September, talks us through the main achievements in the last twelve months.
We have been delighted to see so many people over the last twelve months use the PTA service. As nurses with years of experience in the cancer health sector, we are here to help all secondary (metastatic) breast cancer patients investigate clinical trials as part of their treatment journey and help answer any questions they might have. We also do a clinical database search on their behalf and then give them information to pass on to their care team about which trials across the UK they are eligible for.
We've been delighted to share with our community about our clinical trial service at Tea & Chat groups across the country, at our 2nds Together Retreats and at the Secondary Breast Cancer Patient Summit in June in Liverpool.
Patients feel incredibly empowered through this service and we have been pleased that we have been able to talk and signpost 800 people since we started the pilot service in 2021.
One patient that has used the service is Margaret who was diagnosed eight years ago with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer after an original diagnosis of primary breast cancer nine years before that.
“Finding information [about secondary breast cancer] is never easy. Most of it is very negative or outdated, but I tried my best and the unit I originally attended for treatment was very supportive. As my treatment progressed, I became aware of Make 2nds Count and I started talking to people about the PTA Service."
"Access to the service has given me new hope and support, as well as a new way of opening discussions with my treatment team. It allows myself and others to have more control of the journey we are on. I have learnt that I am a lot more resilient than I would ever have believed and I still have optimism - perhaps due to the fact that I am still well after eight years and I have a lot to be thankful for, especially living to see the birth of my grandson and being fit enough to help care for him when needed.”
We said a sad farewell to Vivienne in December who has been our lead nurse since the service started in 2021. We wish her all the best as she enjoys retirement! Mel will be working full-time so that we are able to offer maximum opportunities for patients to benefit from the service - click here to book your appointment.
We have lots of exciting plans to reach even more of our community in 2025 and work more closely with health care professionals to promote the service.
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