Women with incurable breast cancer are needlessly suffering pain in their last months of life.
Some are left in agony for years even though treatments are available, the charity Breast Cancer Care has warned.
Its poll of more than 200 women with incurable cancer found 90 per cent were often in pain. More than half (59 per cent) suffered every day.
If the results are mirrored across all breast cancer patients, more than 32,000 women will be affected.
File photo of woman having a breast screening on mammogram machine
Dr Emma Pennery, Breast Cancer Care’s clinical director, said that although pain cannot be eliminated in all cases, prompt referral to a specialist boosts the odds of relief.
But she said pain relief may be overlooked because doctors are so focused on treating the cancer. Some medics also wrongly associate palliative care – the management of symptoms and pain – only with the very end of life, but help can be given much earlier.
A breast mammogram given to women who are screened for cancer: today is Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day
Some women with advanced breast cancer live for years, during which they can be in agony. Even simple tasks such as picking up a handbag can cause searing pain. Others experience constant flu-like symptoms.
But as many as 41 per cent of those polled had never been offered palliative care.
Today, on Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the charity is calling on doctors to tell women about pain relief as soon as they are diagnosed.
On Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day women are encouraged to check their breasts for unusual lumps or differences
Dr Pennery said: ‘Palliative care can have a significant impact on quality of life and can really help to alleviate suffering. Sadly, palliative care teams tell us some of their referrals are for breast cancer patients who are within a few weeks of death.
‘By that stage, it is too late to intervene as effectively.
‘Developments in treatment mean people are living with secondary breast cancer for longer, therefore it’s vital that healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge they need to offer appropriate symptom management.
'No one should live with unnecessary pain or without the information they need to make decisions about their own health.’
Many women are put off by the connotations of death surrounding palliative care, which is usually provided by hospices.
Some 70 per cent of the women polled did not know palliative care does not need to be limited to the very end of life.
Eleanor Meade, 56, from Kent, who was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer six years ago, said: ‘When I was first diagnosed I had never heard of palliative care. I had no idea what it meant. I was very afraid of the hospice.
‘I had absolutely no idea they weren’t for the very end of life. But they were able to alleviate some of my most troubling and distressing symptoms.
‘I only heard about it by speaking to other women with secondary breast cancer and I feel that’s unacceptable. I needed it much sooner than that.’
Diana Jupp of Breast Cancer Care said: ‘This survey shows just how many secondary breast cancer patients are struggling on in excruciating pain because of a lack of timely access to palliative care. This is absolutely unacceptable.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2790374/breast-cancer-victims-left-needless-pain-terminally-ill-failed-care-system.html#ixzz3G4HWwq00
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