Breast cancer care will be best possible in Rotherham — pledge

SPECIALISTS have pledged to provide the best possible care to patients with secondary breast cancer.

The Secondary Breast Cancer pledge, launched last week at Rotherham Hospital, sets out the standards of care patients can expect there.

Secondary or metastatic breast cancer is caused when tumour cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body.

Charities Breast Cancer Now and Breast Cancer Care helped medics write the pledge, which promises clear guidance and an annual forum for new patients.

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Maggi Clark, said: “In Rotherham we are fortunate to have a top notch breast cancer team.

“What is important about this pledge is that it has taken patient feedback to heart.

“It is very important that patients can get their views across and the fact that specialists are here to listen and take action to make things even better is fantastic.

“It is an honour to help launch this pledge which will help make a difference for future generations.”

Marie Sadler was part of the pledge’s focus groups. “It has been brilliant to be involved,” she said.

“It has given us a voice and encourages people to speak out.

“We all had different experiences — some good, some less so — and bringing these together to help shape the pledge is really good.”

Rotherham is just one of only 15 hospitals nationally to sign up to the Secondary Breast Cancer pledge scheme so far, and only the second hospital in South Yorkshire to make a pledge of this kind.

Clinical nurse specialist Michelle Fletcher said: “In Rotherham around 40 men and women are currently diagnosed with secondary breast cancer each year.

“Although incurable it can be treated and controlled — this is why it is now more important than ever that feedback from patients is shared and acted upon.”

For more information about the work of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, visit www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk.