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In the third blog of our partnership with Make2ndsCount, we want to share reliable information surrounding the science behind HER2 positive secondary breast cancer, as well as current and future treatments available. Nearly a third of people diagnosed with earlier stages of breast cancer will develop advanced disease [1][2].

This week's SBC & Me blog comes from Nic Ingram. 

Thanks for sharing your story with us. 

As part of Complementary Therapy Week, Kayley tells us about her experience of using cryotherapy *Disclaimer: The benefits of therapies is not yet a recognised treatment in the U.K, please speak to your specialist before using Cryotherapy. I go to cryotherapy.

Having recently received a significant donation in memory of Abigail Goswell, we asked her sister Emma to tell us about the decision to make the donation. In October 2020 my beautiful ‘little’ sister Abigail passed away from secondary breast cancer aged just 47.

Following the first blog of our series with OWise about the science behind HR+ secondary breast cancer, in this blog, we wanted to share with you the experience from Jacqui Crewe, a secondary patient with HR+, HER- breast cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. They can be used to examine many parts of the body.

When were you diagnosed?I was told over the phone by my GP on Friday 13th Oct 2017 that it looked like my cancer was back after I asked for some tests on rib pain. I had no idea this could be a possibility!

When were you diagnosed with SBC? Ten years ago now, de novo secondary diagnosis.

In the first blog of our series in partnership with Make 2nds Count, we want to share with you reliable information surrounding secondary breast cancer and the available treatments. Nearly a third of people diagnosed with earlier stages of breast cancer will eventually develop advanced disease [1, 2].

OWise and Make 2nds Count are working together on an innovative series of blogs looking at the different types of secondary breast cancer and treatment available and then hearing from patients about their own experience of this incurable cancer. OWise, your personalised app for breast cancer  

CT scans (computer tomography/CAT) use X-rays along with a computer to create a detailed image of a portion inside the body including organs, blood vessels and bones. They are often used in cancer treatment to diagnose where metastasis are and to monitor progression of disease.

When were you diagnosed?Feb 28th 2019 - was diagnosed with stage 3 ER+ breast cancer. March 13th 2019 - was told it had spread to my bones and possibly liver.

So I’ve been asked to tell you a bit about my cancer journey, some people don’t like the word ‘journey’ but I don’t mind it, it’s the cancer part that I am not so keen on. My original diagnosis was in 2010 after I had found a pea-sized lump in my left breast.

Breast screening in the form of a mammogram is provided to all women between the age of 50 and 71 every 3 years, as the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age. It has been debated recently in parliament, to bring the age of screening down, with the increased number of younger women being diagnosed, however the Government have not changed the age of screening.

When were you diagnosed with SBC?I was diagnosed 3rd March 2019.How were you diagnosed with SBC?I was on my last Herceptin for my primary cancer and had an appointment with my oncologist where I mentioned that I had a constant pain in my side that just didn't seem to go away so she sent me for a scan and from that it was discovered I had mets on my spine.What has been your treatment journey?I was diagnosed with HER2+ ER/PR + primary breast cancer in October 2017 and had 3 cycles of FEC and 3 cycles of Docetaxol with Herceptin and Perjeta( which I paid £10.5k for as was not approved at that time in Scotland) then had a lumpectomy and 4 weeks of radiotherapy followed by the continuation of Herceptin and daily Letrozole. On diagnosis of my secondary I had 9 cycles of Paclitaxol and then Cyberknife to my spine in June 2019.