A new YouGov survey undertaken by the charity, Make 2nds Count, has shown 33% of adults in Yorkshire and the Humber have never heard of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and 33% don’t know what any of the signs and symptoms are, despite it being leading cause of death for UK women between the ages of 40-59[1].
The ‘Truth Be Told’ campaign is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and was created in recognition of Secondary (metastatic) Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13th.
Secondary (metastatic) breast cancer affects an estimated 61,000 people in the UK, but remains under-recognised and under-discussed. It’s an incurable form of cancer that spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body, often bringing immense emotional, physical and mental toll to patients and their families. An estimated 1,000 women in the UK die from the disease every month[2].
Figures of how many women and men are actually living with the disease are estimated because data collection is inaccurate and patchy across the UK. Audits are being attempted across some of the four nations with only Northern Ireland currently having accurate data, so that services and support can be more adequately provided.
At the heart of Truth Be Told in a striking collection of photographic portraits, which includes Kelsey, by renowned Irish photographer Jennifer Willis, which give a candid look at the lived experience of those with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and capture the strength, vulnerability, and authenticity of those individuals living with the disease in an unfiltered way.
35-year-old Kelsey Creasey from Doncaster was diagnosed with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer 13 months after giving birth to her first child. She said: “I noticed some changes to my breasts during pregnancy but was initially told by my midwife it was likely hormonal and “just your milk coming in” but after being dismissed for 12 months, a scan revealed a secondary (metastatic) breast cancer tumour. Which was later confirmed as having spread to my lungs. Cancer has taken everything away from me, my job as a chef, which I loved and my circle of friends has diminished as at my age, everyone has so much going on in their lives with families that it is hard enough to keep in touch, let alone when you are living with cancer and its side effects.
“This campaign is so important to me as I need to raise awareness for younger people with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and want them to be part of the conversation. Doing the photoshoot with Jennifer was terrifying – but also kind of liberating. I didn’t necessarily want to do it – I needed to, to show it happens to younger people – that it’s indiscriminate and that’s exactly why I had to be part of this.”
Despite the charity’s ongoing drive to improve awareness, the statistics also indicate regional uncertainty around the disease. 28% of Yorkshire and the Humber adults believe secondary (metastatic) breast cancer can (wrongly) be cured and only 11% selected the correct range “1,000 to 1999” for the approximate number of people secondary (metastatic) breast cancer kills every month.
Make 2nds Count is a UK patient and family focused charity dedicated to supporting those affected by secondary (metastatic) breast cancer also known as ‘stage 4’ or ‘advanced breast cancer’.
Sam Dixon, CEO of Make 2nds Count, said: “’Truth Be Told’ is more than an awareness initiative – it’s a movement of empowerment which aims to give hope. This disease is real, relentless – and invisible to so many. Our goal is to ensure that the voices of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in Yorkshire and the Humber are heard, respected, and supported.
“This research shows that a high percentage of adults in Yorkshire and the Humber have never even heard of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer even though approximately 1,000 people die UK wide every month from the disease. We’re here to change that and give a voice to the unseen struggles of this community and show their strength through our campaign.”
The poll also highlighted that:
● Nearly a third (32%) of Yorkshire and the Humber adults didn’t know if men can get secondary (metastatic) breast cancer or not.
● Nearly a half (47%) of Yorkshire and the Humber men didn’t know if they can get secondary (metastatic) breast cancer or not.
The campaign is part of the charity’s broader vision to support people with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer live longer and better lives. It provides advice about treatment options and clinical trials, connects patients through peer-to-peer and online support groups, wellbeing activities, and retreats and funds research, supporting more than 2,000 patients a year.
For more information about the Truth Be Told campaign or to get involved,
visit https://bcam.make2ndscount.co.uk
ENDS
Pic caption: Kelsey Creasey (c) Jennifer Willis
[1] Secondary breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the UK in women between the ages of 40-59. Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 20 May 2025, ONS website, statistical bulletin, Death registration summary statistics, England and Wales: 2024
[2] Approximately 1,000 people die each month from secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in the UK.
England & Wales – Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 20 May 2025, ONS website, statistical bulletin, Death registration summary statistics, England and Wales: 2024
Scotland – National Records of Scotland, Vital Events Reference Tables 2023, Table 6.02 Deaths, numbers and rates, by sex, age and cause, Scotland, 2023 https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/vital-events-reference-tables-2023
Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Cancer Registry 2024. Female breast cancer: 1993-2022. Available at: www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr.
