Stage 4 Deserves More, a non-profit organisation that supports women and men in the UK diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, met with local MP Robert Largan to talk about they work together can raise awareness of secondary breast cancer.
The group is run by Gemma Ellis, assisted by her two daughters Ruby, 10, and Scarlett, 8, who help with support packs and fundraising. Every penny raised goes to supplying the support packs or a weekly treat raffle for their support group members and funding vital secondary breast cancer research projects.
Gemma, who was diagnosed in February 2017 with stage four inflammatory breast cancer, set up Stage 4 Deserves More as she felt there wasn't much support or awareness around secondary breast cancer.
Secondary breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the first (primary) cancer in the breast through the lymphatic or blood system to other parts of the body. Secondary breast cancer is not the same as breast cancer recurrence.
Robert, who successfully campaigned to reinstate the mobile breast cancer screening unit to the High Peak, has promised to raise the lack of awareness and research for secondary breast cancer in Parliament.
Robert Largan MP, for High Peak, commented:
"It was lovely to meet Gemma for a brew yesterday, to discuss Stage 4 Deserves More and the need for more funding for secondary breast cancer.
"Gemma is one of those people who leaves you full of laughter and feeling inspired.
"It's an issue close to my heart. "That's why I campaigned so hard to get the breast screening mobile unit reinstated to High Peak.
"I’ll be raising the issue of secondary breast cancer funding and research in Parliament soon.”
Gemma Ellis, Founder of Stage 4 Deserves More, commented:
“Thank you to Robert Largan MP for meeting with me to discuss Stage 4 Deserves More.
“We mainly talked about lack of awareness of secondary breast cancer, and the ridiculously low percentage of funding that goes towards the research of Stage 4, when it's Stage 4 that is the killer.
“We also discussed how people with primary breast cancer aren't made aware of the red flag symptoms.
“GPs are not referring to the breast clinic when symptoms are presenting, despite the fact METUP UK have created infographics to highlight signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer.”
