A recent survey has indicated that one in four patients with secondary breast cancer had to visit their GP three or more times before they received a diagnosis.

Breast Cancer Now have said that there need to be more awareness that the disease can spread to other parts of the body and the worrying perception that everyone survives breast cancer has masked the reality that 11,500 families in the UK will lose somebody they love each year.

Lois Harrison, a Medical Negligence Solicitor said: “ Sadly even from my own professional experience I know this to be true. I have been approached by various clients over the year who despite visiting their GP on numerous occasions with the classic symptoms of secondary cancer, are simply brushed off by their GP. Secondary cancer has often reached the metastatic form and cannot be cured but patients should be able to access early treatments to help improve their quality of life and to reduce some of their often agonising symptoms”.

Caption: Lois Harrison, Senior Associate – Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Department