In this episode, Laura talks to Claire, support and patient engagement manager at Make 2nds Count, a UK-wide charity giving hope to people living with secondary breast cancer.

Claire speaks about the work that Make 2nds Count does for people with secondary breast cancer, including their Patient Trials Advocate service helping patients with the exploration of clinical trials, and their many support services around the country for people navigating life with their diagnosis. Claire also talks about her own diagnosis of secondary breast cancer, how it informs her work at the charity, and how she copes with the challenges of supporting cancer patients when she is one herself.

You can find out all about Make 2nds Count on their website.

We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. For information and support, visit our website https://www.breastcancernow.org or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:23 Laura introduces Claire

1:11 Claire's diagnosis and experience of secondary breast cancer

2:04 What is secondary breast cancer?

5:24 Claire's treatment for secondary breast cancer

6:13 Explaining what a 'line' of treatment is

7:10 What the charity Make 2nds Count does

9:42 Claire's role at Make 2nds Count

10:15 Support services provided by Make 2nds Count

13:24 How Claire's mindset helped her cope with her diagnosis

16:52 The challenges working with secondary breast cancer patients while living with a secondary diagnosis

21:02 Patient Trial Advocate service from Make 2nds Count

25:43 Discussing clinical trials

30:54 Mental health support and clinical trials

32:38 Funding for secondary breast cancer research

34:57 Dealing with the complicated information about clinical trials

39:11 How to access Make 2nds Count's services

40:02 What needs to change in breast cancer?