Making decisions: secondary breast cancer and you

Having a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer naturally means you may have questions and concerns about the end of life. It can be difficult and painful to look ahead to this time but it may be helpful to think about how and where you want to be cared for. Some people want to be involved in making decisions about how they will be cared for and include family and friends in these discussions.

Recently there have been many initiatives in health care which mean anyone diagnosed with secondary breast cancer will be able to talk with a doctor or nurse about what is important for them in terms of their care towards the end of life.

There are many frameworks designed to improve care that your specialist team should be aware of, including the Gold Standards Framework, Preferred Priorities of Care and Advanced Care Planning or Living Wills.

These should help you discuss what is important for you and what your concerns are, in advance of needing care.

Secondary breast cancer useful links

Macmillan Cancer Support – www.macmillan.org.uk
Winston's Wish – www.winstonswish.org.uk
Department for Work and Pensions UK - www.dwp.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bureaux UK – www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Breast Cancer Network Australia – www.bcna.org.au
Metastatic Breast Cancer Information and Support – www.bcmets.org

Other useful publications

NICE - Advanced breast cancer: understanding NICE guidance

Department of Health - End of Life Care Strategy

Winston's Wish - As Big As It Gets: Supporting a Child when a Parent is Seriously Ill