Breast Cancer Care’s bucket list campaign
The department's response to Breast Cancer Care’s bucket list campaign about secondary breast cancer.
The Department of Health recognises that data collection on metastatic breast cancer is not as good as it should be. The department has made it a priority for the National Cancer Intelligence Network and Public Health England to rectify this. Improvements have been made, but there is still some way to go before data will be ready for publication.
With regard to access to clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), the report of the Independent Cancer Taskforce, Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes, was published in July 2015 and recognised the importance of CNSs for all cancer patients, including those with recurrent and metastatic cancer. The report also recognised the vital importance of early access to palliative care and allied health professionals.
NHS England is currently considering, in consultation with the wider health system, how best to implement the recommendations of the taskforce.