13 October - Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day
The little things that make a big difference
A guide to living with secondary breast cancer

13 October is
Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Secondary breast cancer is when breast cancer cells spread to another part of the body, often the bones, lungs, liver and brain. It can’t be cured, but it can be controlled, sometimes for a number of years.

Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The day is dedicated to publicising the issues affecting people with secondary breast cancer.

The day also focuses on campaigning for improvements in the treatment and care of the tens of thousands of people living with secondary breast cancer in the UK.

A little thing... for people with secondary breast cancer Toni, Southport
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Keep busy

Having secondary cancer meant that I was eligible for my occupational pension. This means that whilst all my friends and family work during the week I don’t have to. This gives me time to plan and organise things for us to do at the weekend. So far in 2011 we have only had 4 weekends with nothing planned.

I am keen to do as much as possible with the time we have left so we arrange trips out and invite people round. Being at home means I have time to clean the house ready for visitors every weekend and tidy up when they go back to work the following week. Granted doing housework is never fun but having friends and family visit is.

I am regularly at the hospital but never at the weekend so we book people in to visit us at our house at the weekends and plan things that we can do like using tesco vouchers for tickets to Alton Towers, having a barge trip with friends or just inviting the family round to have a Disney party with our kids.

Giving us all things to look forward to.

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All these tips have been written by people with secondary breast cancer, for people with secondary breast cancer. We hope that some of them make a difference for you.

Please remember that these tips are personal and are no substitute for the professional care of your medical team. Each tip expresses the views of its author, and doesn't necessarily reflect the views of Breast Cancer Care.

We reserve the right to publish, edit or decline tips. Read our full website terms and conditions. To order or download free information produced by Breast Cancer Care for people living with secondary breast cancer please visit our main website or phone our free Helpline on 0808 600 8000.

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