A changing identity: a focus group study of the experiences of women diagnosed with secondary breast cancer

Aim: This paper reports the results of a study exploring the information and support needs of secondary breast cancer patients. Method: A qualitative focus group study with 12 women with a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer in a UK hospital was carried out. Participants were aged between 29 and 70 years and had secondaries in bone, brain, liver and lung. Findings: A thematic analysis revealed that the women felt unsupported by the care system compared to the level of support they received as primary breast cancer patients. Three overarching themes reflected an immediate sense of loss of formal support on diagnosis as a secondary breast cancer patient, a changed identity and associated self-stigma, and the emotional effects of living with the knowledge that their cancer was not curable. Conclusion: Women living with secondary breast cancer have specific support needs that must be better recognised by healthcare providers. The extent to which secondary breast cancer nurses can meet these unmet needs should be evaluated.