Patients diagnosed with secondary breast cancer could be needlessly suffering from debilitating physical pain, according to a leading cancer charity.
A health survey, carried out by Breast Cancer Care, found that the majority of patients coping with the condition - where cancer has spread, and can be controlled but not cured - were experiencing pain ranging from severe to constant flu-like symptoms.
Most said the pain was so bad that it prevented them from engaging in normal activities like housework or childcare. They also said it affected intimacy and relationships.
The charity warned many people living with the diagnosis felt the care and support they were being offered was "second rate", calling for more to be done in controlling and managing their pain symptoms to improve quality of life.
It has called on doctors and specialists to play their part, revealing that its survey of 204 people found more than a third had never had a referral to a palliative care team.
Diana Jupp, the charity's director of services and campaigns, called the current state of affairs "absolutely unacceptable".
"We speak to more women living with secondary breast cancer than any other organisation and we know they feel their support and care is second rate.
"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 situation is absolutely unacceptable."
She said it was vital the issue was given a higher profile in the health agenda, so that patients living with the diagnosis got the help they needed.
The charity also believes work needs to be done around understanding what the term palliative means, with two thirds of those surveyed believing it referred only to end-of-life care, when it can be used to reduce the severity of symptoms.
Dr Emma Pennery, Breast Cancer Care's clinical director, said: "Many women with secondary breast cancer are afraid of palliative care because they think it's only for patients at the end of their life.
"However, palliative care can have a significant impact on quality of life and can really help to alleviate symptoms and suffering."
Breast Cancer Signs And Treatment
What Are The Symptoms?(01 of10)
Open Image Modal"A new painless, firm breast lump with irregular margins is a potential symptom of breast cancer," says Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, a breast cancer researcher at the Mayo Clinic. "The cancer diagnosis is confirmed following a biopsy of the lump." She notes that usually, women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer are healthy and don't feel sick at all. (credit:LarsZahnerPhotography via Getty Images)
Other Symptoms(02 of10)
Open Image ModalAnother potential symptom/sign of breast cancer, Pruthi notes, is a new onset of persistent redness on the skin overtop the breast with an orange peel appearance. This would also need a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of breast cancer. (credit:Image Source via Getty Images)
Metastatic Cancer Symptoms(03 of10)
Open Image Modal"If the cancer is very advanced (metastatic) then the symptoms may also include weight loss, bone pain, headaches, nausea and persistent cough," Pruthi says. (credit:pamela burley via Getty Images)
What Are The Risk Factors?(04 of10)
Open Image ModalSome commonly associated risk factors, Pruthi says, are menstruation before age 11, menstruation after age 54, a first pregnancy after age 35 and a family history of relatives diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. (credit:AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Are There Any Lifestyle Risk Factors?(05 of10)
Open Image Modal"There is evidence in the literature that obesity after menopause, lack of regular exercise, consuming greater than more or more alcoholic beverages daily, and a high fat diet can all be associated with a higher breast cancer risk," Pruthi notes. But, she points out, "women need to know that any woman can get breast cancer even in the absence of any of these risk factors." (credit:Adrian Samson via Getty Images)
Can I Eat Anything To Prevent It?(06 of10)
Open Image ModalThere are no specific types of diets, Pruthi says, but rather women are encouraged to eat fruits, vegetables, fibre, and minimize their alcohol and fat intake, as well as get regular exercise. (credit:lola1960 via Getty Images)
How Do Doctors Determine Treatment?(07 of10)
Open Image Modal"The most current treatment of breast cancer has taken on a individualized approach and is dependent on the biology or aggressive features of the breast cancer," Pruthi explains. "Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and this means that are many sub-types and different degrees of aggressiveness. So staging, which typically takes into account common prognostic features such as tumour size and if lymph nodes are involved, are no longer the only factors doctors use to determine treatment options." (credit:Christopher Futcher via Getty Images)
So What Do They Look At?(08 of10)
Open Image Modal"Today the biology of the tumour is also characterized by molecular markers (also known as predictive markers) such as if the estrogen or progesterone receptor is positive or negative and if the HER 2 protein is positive or negative," she says. "This helps decide who will benefit from a specific chemotherapy regimen, hormonal medications known as antiestrogens or who may need both chemotherapy and hormonal treatment." (credit:BluePlanetEarth via Getty Images)
What About Preventative Mastectomies?(09 of10)
Open Image Modal"Preventive mastectomy is an option for women at very high risk for developing breast cancer because they are BRCA 1 or 2 gene positive or if someone has hereditary predisposition to getting breast cancer but chooses not to have the genetic testing done," Pruthi says. "It is prudent that women who are considering this surgery know their family history in detail. Based on the moderate or strong family history, your doctor would recommend you meet with a genetic counselor to go over the family pedigree and help decide who should test for the breast cancer gene, when to test and how to interpret the genetic test results before proceeding with this preventive surgery." (credit:Jesús Jaime Mota via Getty Images)
Are Other Preventative Treatments Available?(10 of10)
Open Image Modal"High risk women who have had precancerous breast biopsies or strong family history may also be eligible to take preventive medications such as tamoxifen, raloxifene or exemestane to reduce breast cancer risk," Pruthi adds. (credit:art-4-art via Getty Images)
She said people were living with the condition longer and it was therefore "vital" doctors and specialists had the training and expertise to help their patients explore all the options for care available, at the point of diagnosis.
"No one should live with unnecessary pain or without the information they need to make decisions about their own health," added Dr Pennery.
The charity estimates as many as 32,400 people are living with the condition in the UK.
Breast Cancer Care has launched an online petition in support of its calls for greater awareness among healthcare professionals, at www.breastcancercare.org.uk/improvecare.