Breast Cancer Care comment on NICE guidelines
Commenting on the new NICE guidance on familial breast cancer: 'Classification and care of people at risk of familial breast cancer and management of breast cancer and related risks in people with a family history of breast cancer', released today (Tuesday 25 June 2013), Carolyn Rogers, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care said:
“These new guidelines are an exciting development that could help many hundreds of people with confirmed or a potential family history of breast cancer now and in the future.
“Significant changes, including the recommended preventative use of drugs like tamoxifen and raloxifene in high-risk women as an alternative to risk-reducing surgery, is an important step forward in increasing patient options and choice. Many more people in England and Wales will be able to access genetic testing and this latest guidance will help make their care and treatment more consistent.
“We are really pleased to see the recommendation for further research within this complex area, particularly to compare psychosocial outcomes in those who decide to or decide not to have risk-reducing surgery. We know from calls to our Helpline that such a decision can be extremely difficult to make.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Breast Cancer Care
When breast cancer and its treatment overshadow everything, we see the woman underneath. Breast Cancer Care is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to providing emotional and practical support for anyone affected. Our free helpline, information-packed website and online forums offer a friendly ear and expert information to those dealing with this life-threatening disease. Across the UK we offer a range of confidential, face-to-face services for people living with and beyond breast cancer. We campaign for better support and care and promote the importance of early detection, involving people with breast cancer in all that we do. Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000
Ask the Nurse
Sometimes it’s difficult to talk to someone in person about your breast cancer or breast health concerns. Our Ask the Nurse service is a dedicated and confidential email service that can help answer your questions. Simply email any question – big or small – and you can expect a prompt reply from one of our specialist nurses. Click this link to find out more about this service and email your question www.breastcancercare.org.uk/askthenurse
If you would prefer to talk to someone, we have a free Helpline on 0808 800 6000 (Text relay 18001). Our Helpline is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm. Calls are answered by nurses and trained staff with experience of breast cancer. Whatever your concern, you can be confident we’ll understand the issues you might be facing, and that the information you’ll receive is clear and up to date.
Contact
Sophie Softley Pierce / Sophie Howells
sophie.pierce@breastcancercare.org.uk / sophie.howells@breastcancercare.org.uk
0207 960 3505/3450
Out of office hours: 0770 290 1334
Breast Cancer Care
5-13 Great Suffolk Street, London, SE1 0NS
Direct line: 020 7960 3450 Switchboard: 0845 092 0800
-01.png){kind=spacer}