Secondary Breast Cancer Day: Blackpool Tower joined the ‘Shine a Light on Secondaries’ campaign by lighting up pink, red and teal

On October 13, venues including Camera Obscura, The Balmoral and Caird Hall joined Blackpool Tower and shone brightly in the charity’s colours, pink, purple and teal, as part of the national campaign designed to “Shine a Light” on Secondary Breast Cancer day, which is often overlooked amidst the wider narrative around Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

A YouGov survey commissioned this year by Make 2nds Count revealed that 29% of UK adults who are either diagnosed or have a loved one with secondary breast cancer felt that research and support were insufficient and not readily available. Only 23% of respondents would look to the mainstream media as a source of information and support when dealing with secondary breast cancer, whilst 59% refer to charities offering one-to-one advice and personal experience.

Heather Moffitt, a trustee of Make 2nds Count who is living with Stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer, said: “We desperately need people to be aware of this forgotten form of breast cancer. We need to change the narrative and raise so much more awareness around the signs and symptoms of this disease.

“Secondary breast cancer is incurable and without further research and education, this disease will continue to destroy the lives of so many. That’s why we’ve joined forces with venues across the UK to mark a moment and Shine a Light on this disease and the important work that needs to be done.”

The disease, also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, is a cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body and is incurable. On average there are around 35,000 patients in the UK currently living with this form of the disease.

Make 2nds Count is a patient and family-focused charity dedicated to giving hope to those living with secondary breast cancer. Their mission is to fund research that contributes to advancing an increased quality of life for patients; creates a community that supports and educates those affected; informs and facilitates access to patient trials and increases overall awareness of secondary breast cancer.  

For more information or support visit www.make2ndscount.co.uk/.