Support for secondary breast cancer patients

What support can I expect during the first year following a diagnosis of secondary or locally advanced breast cancer?

First year support pathway for secondary breast cancer

We are a team of clinical nurse specialists (CNS) who will provide support for you and your family and friends following a diagnosis of secondary or locally advanced breast cancer. We encourage you to attend your appointment to the nurse-led clinic as this contact then leads on to additional available support, if required.

By the end of the first year, we hope that you will be confident to contact us whenever you need to.

Nurse-led clinic

This is an appointment with a CNS. You should expect to see the nurse approximately 4 to 6 weeks after your first medical appointment at The Christie.

If for some reason you do not receive your appointment please contact 0161 446 3996 and this will be arranged for you.

Telephone follow-up clinic

You will receive an appointment for a telephone conversation or call with a CNS approximately 4 months after your nurse-led clinic appointment. If it is felt that you would benefit from additional support prior to the telephone follow up appointment, the nurse will discuss arranging this with you.

Health and wellbeing day

You will be invited to this event 6 to 12 months after your first medical appointment at The Christie. This day is designed to help you live well with secondary or locally advanced breast cancer. The days are run twice a year and have been very positively evaluated by patients and relatives and friends who have previously attended.

The day gives you the opportunity to listen to expert speakers such as a medical consultant, senior research dietitian, secondary breast CNS and supportive care CNS. There are also breakout sessions in the afternoon which provide further additional support.

If after 12 months you haven’t received an invitation for this event, please contact 0161 446 3996.

In between your appointments with the secondary breast clinical nurse specialist team, please feel free to contact us at any point. Please always leave a message and one of the nurses will get back to you as soon as possible (please note: it is not always possible to return all calls the same day due to clinical commitments).

The Macmillan secondary or locally advanced breast clinical nurse specialists contact details

Telephone number: 0161 446 3996

Other support

Breast Cancer Now

Provides information and support to both patients and families.

Freephone: 0808 800 6000

www.breastcancernow.org

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm

North of England regional office 0345 077 1893

Macmillan Cancer Support

Provides information on all aspects of cancer

Freephone: 0808 808 0000

www.macmillan.org.uk

Living with secondary breast cancer

Meet others in a similar situation and hear from expert speakers

Telephone number: 0345 077 1893

Email address: secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org

The cancer information centre at The Christie

The Christie in Withington - 0161 446 8100, located in Oak Road reception (department 3)

The Christie at Oldham - 0161 918 7745

The Christie at Salford - 0161 918 7804

Last updated: January 2023