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Breast cancer patients feel let down by Cameron, says woman cited in PMQs Breast cancer patients feel let down by Cameron, says woman cited in PMQs
(about 4 hours later)
The woman presented by Jeremy Corbyn at prime minister’s questions as an example of the thousands living in the UK with terminal breast cancer has said she feels the disease is forgotten after diagnosis.The woman presented by Jeremy Corbyn at prime minister’s questions as an example of the thousands living in the UK with terminal breast cancer has said she feels the disease is forgotten after diagnosis.
Emma Cairns, who was told more than four years ago that her cancer was incurable, said women living with the disease felt let down by David Cameron, who she said had failed to keep a promise to collect vital data on secondary breast cancer cases, where somebody who has had the disease before is rediagnosed.Emma Cairns, who was told more than four years ago that her cancer was incurable, said women living with the disease felt let down by David Cameron, who she said had failed to keep a promise to collect vital data on secondary breast cancer cases, where somebody who has had the disease before is rediagnosed.
Cairns said she had no idea the Labour leader would use her story to challenge the prime minister on a lack of data collection, which campaigners argue is leaving women without the palliative care and access to expertise and drugs they need.Cairns said she had no idea the Labour leader would use her story to challenge the prime minister on a lack of data collection, which campaigners argue is leaving women without the palliative care and access to expertise and drugs they need.
“Sometimes it feels like we are forgotten about. We spent a lot of time talking about early diagnosis, which is great, but for women living with incurable cancer it is devastating disease,” she told the Guardian.“Sometimes it feels like we are forgotten about. We spent a lot of time talking about early diagnosis, which is great, but for women living with incurable cancer it is devastating disease,” she told the Guardian.
“I have an 11-year-old daughter, I need as much time as possible, I need to be there to see her start secondary school, to do her GCSEs to go to the prom. But getting the data is so important, all the things that will help us live longer rely on it.”“I have an 11-year-old daughter, I need as much time as possible, I need to be there to see her start secondary school, to do her GCSEs to go to the prom. But getting the data is so important, all the things that will help us live longer rely on it.”
Cairns, who is currently in good health, was first diagnosed in 2006 and underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She went into remission, but when she returned to her GP four and a half years later complaining of back pain and asked for an MRI scan he refused. She was finally scanned after a routine oncologist appointment, and discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver and spine.Cairns, who is currently in good health, was first diagnosed in 2006 and underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She went into remission, but when she returned to her GP four and a half years later complaining of back pain and asked for an MRI scan he refused. She was finally scanned after a routine oncologist appointment, and discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver and spine.
After more treatment the cancer is now stable, but she has told her daughter, Molly, that although the cancer is “sleeping”, it will wake up. “I’m now on a mission to show her the world,” she said, explaining that they have used her retirement fund to travel to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.After more treatment the cancer is now stable, but she has told her daughter, Molly, that although the cancer is “sleeping”, it will wake up. “I’m now on a mission to show her the world,” she said, explaining that they have used her retirement fund to travel to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
During PMQs Corbyn used his final question to David Cameron to talk about meeting “Emma and Frances”, two women suffering from terminal breast cancer. He said Cameron met Breast Cancer Care, the charity the pair campaign for, in 2010 and promised to ensure data was collected and centralised.During PMQs Corbyn used his final question to David Cameron to talk about meeting “Emma and Frances”, two women suffering from terminal breast cancer. He said Cameron met Breast Cancer Care, the charity the pair campaign for, in 2010 and promised to ensure data was collected and centralised.
Cameron said he had spoken to the charity and relayed their concerns to the health secretary.But cancer charities said that despite positive steps, data was still not being consistently collected. Cameron said he had spoken to the charity and relayed their concerns to the health secretary. But cancer charities said that despite positive steps, data was still not being consistently collected.
“Five years after meeting with David Cameron about the issue, we still don’t have the full picture of how many people are diagnosed each year or are living with the disease,” said Danni Manzi, head of policy and campaigns at Breast Cancer Care. “Without this, patients will continue to be trapped in a vicious cycle of second-rate care as it is near impossible to plan effective services.”“Five years after meeting with David Cameron about the issue, we still don’t have the full picture of how many people are diagnosed each year or are living with the disease,” said Danni Manzi, head of policy and campaigns at Breast Cancer Care. “Without this, patients will continue to be trapped in a vicious cycle of second-rate care as it is near impossible to plan effective services.”
More than 55,000 people a year in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer – around one person every 10 minutes. Experts estimate there around 36,000 people with secondary breast cancer in the UK, but there is no official data.More than 55,000 people a year in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer – around one person every 10 minutes. Experts estimate there around 36,000 people with secondary breast cancer in the UK, but there is no official data.
In 2013 the government made collecting data about secondary cancer compulsory, but Manzi said there was still no data yet made available and there was evidence to suggest that secondary cancer diagnosis was not routinely discussed.In 2013 the government made collecting data about secondary cancer compulsory, but Manzi said there was still no data yet made available and there was evidence to suggest that secondary cancer diagnosis was not routinely discussed.
Cairns said she had had excellent care, but said it was “incredibly depressing” to read stories about cuts to life-extending cancer drugs. But hearing her story told in parliament had given her hope, she added. “Today it felt like someone was listening – I just hope that can get the ball rolling in the right direction.”Cairns said she had had excellent care, but said it was “incredibly depressing” to read stories about cuts to life-extending cancer drugs. But hearing her story told in parliament had given her hope, she added. “Today it felt like someone was listening – I just hope that can get the ball rolling in the right direction.”