Breast cancer cases in the UK have risen by a fifth in a decade - but no extra nurses

The number of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases has risen by a fifth in a decade,1 according to new analysis by Breast Cancer Care. Yet there has been no rise in breast cancer nurse posts.

The figures show that the numbers of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer in England have risen by 18% from 38,153 in 2003 to 44,831 in 2013.

Similarly in Wales and Scotland the rise of breast cancer cases is around 20%.2

More women are diagnosed with breast cancer than any other cancer. And breast cancer is the highest rising cancer in women after lung cancer.

In the same timeframe, newly diagnosed bowel cancer cases increased by 15%, cervical cancer by 11% and ovarian by 5%.

Yet despite this, the number of specialist breast cancer nurses has remained the same at 434 across England since records began in 2007.

These nurses are essential in providing breast cancer patients with medical, practical and emotional care from diagnosis to recovery.

According to the Cancer Patient Experience Survey, patients with access to a nurse specialist experience significantly better treatment and care.

The charity is warning that this widening gap between the numbers of people diagnosed with breast cancer and breast cancer nurses is increasing pressure on nurses’ workloads, which will impact negatively on quality of care.

Especially as the number of people living with breast cancer is set to more than double from 691,000 to 1.7 million by 2040.

The rise in breast cancer cases is largely due to the ageing population and lifestyle factors such as women drinking more and higher obesity levels.

Though more people survive a breast cancer diagnosis, many face debilitating side-effects of the disease and its treatment.

Not only is this difficult for the patient, it increases the workload of nurses further. 

Samia al Qadhi, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Care, says:

“In 10 years breast cancer cases in England have soared by nearly 20%. Yet the number of breast cancer nurses has not kept up with this increase. Our worry is that this trend could also follow in Scotland and Wales.

“Breast cancer nurses do a fantastic job but they are under more and more pressure to provide the same quality of care with much less time, more responsibilities and many more patients. We welcome the Cancer Strategy recommendation that every cancer patient should have access to a specialist nurse, but the next step is how we make that a reality. We know NHS England’s budgets are tight, but as the number of breast cancer cases rises, action is needed to address this now.

“In the meantime Breast Cancer Care can provide anyone affected by breast cancer with expert support and information. We understand the emotions, challenges and decisions breast cancer patients face every day - our team of nurses, specialists and volunteers are there to help anyone affected by breast cancer.”

Breast Cancer Care is calling on NHS England to adopt the Cancer Strategy Recommendations, and has launched a campaign to highlight the support it can provide for breast cancer patients.
 

Source: Breast Cancer Care