Secondary breast cancer support group launched in Norwich

The Norwich City Cancer Support Centre offers a "warm, friendly space" for people living with cancer to share their experiences

People with incurable secondary breast cancer are being offered a new support group to help with the "devastating diagnosis".

Charity Breast Cancer Now is launching the service with Big C at the Norwich City Cancer Support Centre.

The idea is to provide space for people to "talk, listen and learn in a relaxed and supportive environment".

It followed a recommendation for more secondary breast cancer support in Norfolk.

More than 61,000 people in the UK are believed to be living with secondary breast cancer, which is also called metastatic, advanced, or stage 4 cancer.

While secondary breast cancer can be treated, it cannot currently be cured.

The disease occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body, most commonly the bones, liver, lung or brain.

The new group is being launched in Norwich by Breast Cancer Now and Big C

Joann Mcgrath, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for breast at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said the new support group had come about after feedback from breast cancer patients.

"We were able to reflect on and celebrate the areas that we felt we did well, but also areas that we could improve upon, including support for patients with secondary breast cancer.

"With the involvement and guidance from Breast Cancer Now, the Norwich secondary breast cancer group has come to fruition," she said.

Ms Mcgrath hopes the group will be "an essential bridge" between the hospital and the community.

"A great deal of patients are living well with their disease and would like to meet other patients to talk about their experiences," she added.

Susan Wood, senior manager of secondary breast cancer services at Breast Cancer Now, said: "Secondary breast cancer is full of uncertainties and people tell us that they often feel overlooked or forgotten once receiving the devastating diagnosis."

Dr Melanie Pascale said the sessions will offer 'much needed support' to deal with the challenges of secondary breast cancer

Dr Melanie Pascale, Director of Charitable Operations at Big C, said they were "really looking forward" to launching the group, which will hold its first session on Friday.

"These sessions will offer much needed support for local people dealing with the challenges that secondary breast cancer brings and we know from our service users how important this support will be," she said.