Survivors of breast cancer left to pick up the pieces of life

Support... health minister Steve Brine breast cancer support event when women finish hospital treatment.

The survey also found that fewer than half of them are not told by a healthcare professional about all the possible long-term effects.

Many patients are forced to resort to searching online or asking friends and family for advice.

A third have constant pain as a result of treatment, and this has also prevented a quarter from continuing with normal lives.

The same proportion experience fatigue and have turned to their GP to get the help and treatment they needed to deal with side-effects.

The survey also found more than half are not given information about symptoms of the cancer returning.

The charity has called on health minister Steve Brine to ensure that the NHS tackles the lack of specialised end-of-treatment care in the system.

It now seeks a commitment from the Department of Health and Social Care that every woman who needs it will have access to a breast cancer- specific “support event” to help them start to navigate life after treatment.

Breast Cancer Care chief executive Samia al Qadhi said: “It’s unacceptable that women with breast cancer are being routinely let down in such large numbers. After being blindsided by the life-changing, long-term emotional and physical effects of the disease, far too many women are being left to pick up the pieces by themselves, without the healthcare support they need.

“Great strides in treatment over the past 70 years mean that, happily, more women are surviving breast cancer. It’s crucial the system catches up and ensures these women are given the ongoing care they need to live well – not just survive.”