AROUND 36,000 people in the UK, most of whom are women, have secondary breast cancer. Piano teacher Anne Shingler is among them, and is involved in a campaign to raise awareness and knowledge of the disease.

DESPITE huge advances in breast cancer treatment over many years, there remains a significant number of patients for whom the disease progresses.

And though breast cancer has perhaps the highest public profile of any cancer, due in large part to awareness months like the current one, secondary breast cancer is widely misunderstood. Many of those living with the disease feel isolated and can suffer gaps in care.

A recent study by the charity Breast Cancer Care – a survey of 2,000 people in the UK – found that although most (83 per cent) assumed correctly that breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body, more than half (54 per cent) admitted they do not know what secondary breast cancer is, or mistakenly think it is not life-threatening.

The research also revealed uncertainty about what it means to live with secondary breast cancer.

More than half of those questioned (54 per cent) were uncertain as to whether someone with such a diagnosis would be able to work, and 43 per cent did not know or thought wrongly that people with secondary breast cancer would not be able to travel and go on holiday.

While this is not possible for all, with the right support and clinical management, a significant number of women can continue to lead full lives for a long time.

Anne Shingler, 42, knows all about living with secondary breast cancer. Diagnosed more than four years ago, Ms Shingler, who lives in Ynysddu, says that while she has learned not to plan her life too far ahead, she is determined to make the most of it.

Already a Breast Cancer Care campaigner – she modelled at a high-profile fashion show in aid of the charity in 2010 – she is now involved in its A Day In The Life campaign to improve understanding of what it means to live with advanced disease, and features in one of a number of short films that can be viewed at www.breastcancercare.org.uk/secondarybreast-cancer-awarenessday/sunday#video “The thing I have found most difficult since my diagnosis is the sense of isolation from the world,”

said Ms Shingler.

“Once a month, if I’m feeling well, I’ll attend the Living with Secondary Breast Cancer group in Cardiff, where we can talk about anything on our minds.

“I’ve played piano since I was eight years old and after my first, primary, breast cancer diagnosis, I didn’t play for years.

“All hope goes away at first, but after a while a process of learning to live with it kicks in.

“I know I have a reduced life expectancy but I’m still here! I know, too, what is likely to be around the corner but why look at that now, when I don’t have to?

“I’ve learned to live for today, not to look too far ahead. I never thought I’d see the Olympics, but I was nominated to carry the torch (in Blaenavon) and I auditioned for the BBC National Chorus of Wales and sang with them at the Royal Albert Hall.” Ms Shingler has also rediscovered her love for music, winning prizes recently in festivals at Birmingham, Bath and Cheltenham.

“Music can be therapeutic and completely absorbing. I really enjoy teaching piano and I want to do it for as long as I possibly can,”

she said. She must follow a regime of medication, a side-effect of which means she tires easily and has a reduced immunity.

“The teaching and travelling to competitions is tiring and I am prone to nasty chest infections, but in the bigger scheme of things I am lucky,” she said.

FACTFILE

SECONDARY breast cancer occurs when cells from a primary breast cancer have spread to other parts of the body (often the bones, lungs, liver or brain).

This type of spread is also known as metastases, advanced breast cancer, or stage four cancer.

A diagnosis of secondary breast cancer means that the cancer cannot be cured, although it can be treated and controlled, sometimes for years.

Further details on the disease and the awareness campaign can be found at www.breastcancercare.org.uk

A free helpline – 0808 800 6000 – is also available for anyone with concerns.