Breast Cancer Now has reached over 290,000 people broadcasting on Facebook Live.
Leading charity Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now has reached over 290,000 people with expert clinical information and support in its first year of broadcasting Facebook Live videos.
Since February 2018, the videos have enabled the charity’s Clinical Nurse Specialists to scale-up their delivery of support and specialist expertise to thousands of people at one time.
Viewers have now watched more than 1,000 hours of open discussion between the charity’s clinical experts and women affected by breast cancer on topics including breast awareness and how to manage long-term effects of the disease on body image, mental health and relationships.
With increasing numbers of women contacting the charity with similar questions about breast health, including signs and symptoms of breast cancer, the organisation introduced Facebook Live videos to deliver content and answers to an audience united by shared concerns.
The charity’s 18 videos to date have driven hundreds of conversations among their digital community, resulting in an average engagement rate of 8% - more than double the global Facebook Page average of 3.75%.1
Following the merger of Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now in April 2019 to create the UK’s first comprehensive breast cancer charity, the new charity will use Facebook Live to reach even more people in need of support following a breast cancer diagnosis.
David Hunt, Assistant Director of Digital at Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now, said:
“With around 600,000 people living after a diagnosis of breast cancer in the UK, and numbers predicted to rise, it has never been more vital to find innovative ways to reach more people who need support.2
“Facebook Live is a powerful interactive platform that allows us to share the expertise of each member of our Clinical team with thousands of people looking for information and guidance, while maintaining the caring nature of our support.
"Connections made among these viewers form an online support network that goes beyond the video itself.
“Sharing vital information using Facebook Live helps us create a space where discussion flourishes. And people affected by breast cancer feel comfortable asking personal questions and sharing their own experiences, like they’re in the room with us.”
The charity is increasing the digital support it offers with the introduction of its end-of-treatment support app, BECCA, the development of Alexa skills available on Amazon, including the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and podcasts to share women’s personal experiences of breast cancer.
All Facebook Live videos can be accessed on Breast Cancer Now’s Facebook profile under the Videos tab.
ENDS
For further information, please contact the press team at Breast Cancer Now on 07436 107914 or email press@breastcancernow.org
Notes to editors
- The Global State of Digital Report, we are social and Hootsuite, 2019.
- Updated UK Complete Cancer Prevalence for 2013 Workbook, Macmillan-NCRAS Cancer Prevalence Project, 2017.
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