Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
Research. Support. Education.
Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
8th September 2025 by Sarah Thomas Education
Living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer means navigating so much more than medical appointments and treatment plans. It is about managing day-to-day life while carrying the weight of an illness that is often unpredictable and relentless. While doctors and nurses focus on the medicines that extend and improve life, there are other burdens that can quietly build up - financial worries, emotional strain, and the loss of everyday routines and simple pleasures.
A recent study by Ng et al. (2025) in BJC Reports shines a light on these “hidden costs.” These are not just pounds and pence spent on travel, bills and childcare. They include the energy drained by fatigue, the time lost to hospital visits, the sadness of missing family activities, and the strain of leaning more heavily on loved ones. For many people with secondary breast cancer, these hidden costs hurt just as much as the disease itself.
Even though cancer treatment in the UK is free at the point of care, many people with secondary breast cancer face money worries caused by cancer. The costs of getting to and from appointments, paying for extra heating when spending more time at home, or covering childcare and household chores - it all adds up. Holidays and hobbies, which bring joy and relief, are often the first to be cut back, or may be impossible due to health uncertainties and extra insurance. These sacrifices don’t just affect bank balances - they have a huge impact on quality of life.
Almost everyone in the study reported some form of ongoing health challenges, whether it was pain, fatigue, anxiety, or memory and concentration problems. These symptoms can make it harder to work, care for family, or even manage day-to-day tasks. The result is often a loss of independence and confidence, which can be just as tough to face as the physical side of the illness.
96% reported mental health issues
92% reported general disorders such as pain and fatigue
Secondary breast cancer doesn’t only affect the person diagnosed. It often reshapes the whole family dynamic. Nearly half of those in the study who had caring responsibilities - like looking after children or elderly relatives - were still unable to take them on, months or years after diagnosis. Partners, family members, and friends step in, which can be both a blessing and a source of strain. Families may find themselves juggling more than ever, often without enough outside support.
47% with caring responsibilities were unable to fulfil them
When these challenges are not recognised, they can leave people feeling invisible or lost. You can have access to the best possible treatments in the world, yet still feel weighed down by money worries, isolation, and the loss of a normal life. This is why it’s so important to look beyond the medical side of secondary breast cancer and think about the bigger picture of living well.
Now we have the research evidence to back up what we all know in the community to be true, we can move forward with open and honest conversations about what it means to live with metastatic disease. Healthcare systems, employers, charities and policymakers must work together to ensure that the price of living with secondary breast cancer is not paid in diminished dignity, strained relationships, or lost opportunities.
Secondary breast cancer is incurable, but the financial, emotional, and social toll it takes does not have to be inevitable. Recognising and addressing hidden costs is a crucial step toward more compassionate, equitable cancer care in the UK, and Make 2nds Count we are with you, every step of the way.
By Dr Sarah Thomas, Head of Research & Education at Make 2nds Count
Citation: Ng, S., Kilburn, L.S., Stobart, H. et al. Hidden costs and unmet supportive care needs among individuals with experience of breast cancer and their carers in the United Kingdom. BJC Rep 3, 55 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44276-025-00172-z
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