The short version
Breast Cancer Now
Breast Cancer Now’s support for secondary breast cancer is free:1
- Living with Secondary Breast Cancer: monthly groups, online and in person around the UK, led by trained counsellors, on topics such as wellbeing, side effects and exercise. Contact the Services Support Team on 0345 077 1893.
- Younger Women with Secondaries Together: online events for women under 45 with secondary breast cancer.
- Online forum, with a private area just for people with secondary breast cancer.
- Helpline and Ask Our Nurses: free on 0808 800 6000, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm, or email the nurses.
Other support
| Service | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Marie Curie | Palliative care, hospice care and a support line on 0800 090 23093 |
| Maggie’s | Free drop-in centres and online support, for you and your family4 |
| Macmillan Support Line | Free on 0808 808 00 00, including money and work advice5 |
| Future Dreams | Dedicated support for people with secondary breast cancer, in London and online6 |
| Penny Brohn UK | Free online sessions and support7 |
| Your local hospice | Many hospices offer day services, therapies and support while you’re still having treatment. Ask your team or GP |
Money and practical help
- Benefits: Macmillan’s money advisers can check what you can claim, and there are special rules that make claims faster for people nearing the end of life.5
- Grants: see financial help, benefits and grants.
- Work: see your rights at work.
Support for family and children
- Supporting someone with breast cancer
- Talking to children about breast cancer
- Breast Cancer Now lists organisations that support families and children when a parent has secondary breast cancer.8
Related pages
References
- Breast Cancer Now. Support for you: secondary breast cancer (leaflet). breastcancernow.org/media-assets/4xibp3mc/support_for_you_sbc_leaflet.pdf
- Marie Curie. What is palliative and end of life care? www.mariecurie.org.uk/globalassets/media/documents/policy/what-is-palliative-and-end-of-life-care.pdf
- NHS 111 Wales. Marie Curie (local service listing). 111.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/viewlocalservice.aspx?id=801
- Maggie’s. Facts and statistics 2025. maggies.org/media/filer_public/b0/75/b0759449-fcd5-4331-a14f-6b822f8bfed2/maggies_facts_stats_2025.pdf
- Macmillan Cancer Support. Welfare rights advice. macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/financial-help/welfare-rights-advice
- Future Dreams. New to Future Dreams? futuredreams.org.uk/new-to-future-dreams/
- Penny Brohn UK. The services we offer. pennybrohn.org.uk/our-approach/services
- Breast Cancer Now. Resources for talking with children about breast cancer. breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/primary-breast-cancer/talking-with-children-about-breast-cancer/resources-for-talking-with-children-about-breast-cancer