Blog

Today, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has announced that the targeted secondary breast cancer drug alpelisib (Piqray®) is not recommended for use within NHSScotland for the treatment of a specific cohort of patients. Make 2nds Count is disappointed by this decision that will reduce targeted treatment options to secondary breast cancer patients on the NHS in Scotland.

SBC & Me Date of diagnosis? Late July 2021 Current treatment line?

We are taking our campaign to raise awerness of secondary breast cancer to the Scottish Parliament from the 29th November to the 2nd December. We are highlighting the shocking toll of the disease which claims 1000 lives each month in the UK – an average of 31 deaths every day – and its pioneering Patient Trials Advocate service (PTA).

Make 2nds Count is concerned with recent misleading social media comments made by founder Lisa Fleming. The charity has gone to great lengths to protect her from what we feel have been conflicted decisions around her ongoing role in the charity.

SBC & My Treatment: Has your treatment line changed since you completed SBC & Me last year? Luckily not, I'm still on my first line of treatment.

Lora Willing passed away one year ago today from secondary breast cancer. Thank you to her family for sharing her story with us.Lora was 37 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in May 2020.

SBC & Me How does secondary breast cancer affect your life? It’s always there lurking in the background!

In October Make 2nds Count supporter, Sharon, took on the incredible challenge of swimming a mile a day for a week. She has kindly agreed to share why she took on this challenge and why Make 2nds Count is so important to her and her family.

“I'm Adam, I’m 33 and am an Actor and Puppeteer by trade. Since graduating The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, I have been fortunate to tour the UK and the world in Theatre shows mainly aimed for families.

SBC & Me How does secondary breast cancer affect your life? SBC is in my life everyday, from the aches and pains to the fatigue.

Today the NHS England has announced that Pembrolizumab (brand name, Keytruda®) has become available as an NHS England & Wales treatment option for patients with primary Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) after a deal was struck between the NHS and the manufacturer (MSD). In October 2022 Keytruda® was made available by the Scottish Medicine Consortium (SMC) for secondary TNBC and Keytruda® was also made available by NICE for this same patient cohort in May 2022 for usage in NHS England & Wales.

What is ESMO?The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) is a leading professional organisation with more than 25,000 members from over 160 countries. The 2022 ESMO congress took place in Paris, France in a hybrid manner between the 9th - 13th September with an estimated 29,300 attendees.

SBC & Me Date of Diagnosis: December 2019 Current Treatment Line Abemaciclib, Letrozole and denosumab How does secondary breast cancer affect your life? When I was first diagnosed I was in a lot of pain and could barely walk.

SBC & Me Date of Diagnosis: September 2019 Current Treatment Line Capecitabine Denosumab Zoladex How does secondary breast cancer affect your life? Fatigue and pain are the main problems with my health.