Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) diagnosis, (b) treatment and (c) support provided to people with secondary breast cancer.

In September 2019 we announced funding of £200 million for new equipment to drive earlier diagnosis of cancer and improve survival. More than 300 diagnostic machines will be funded across the country, replacing outdated MRI machines, CT scans and breast screening equipment with cutting edge technology.

The NHS Long Term Plan sets a clear ambition that where appropriate ever person diagnosed with cancer should have access to personalised care by 2021. Personalised care is made up of four interventions that used to be referred to as the Support Package:

- Personalised care and support planning based on holistic needs assessments;

- End of treatment summaries;

- Health and wellbeing information and support; and

- A Cancer Care Review with their general practitioner.

The NHS Cancer Programme aims to improve access to cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) for all cancer patients when they need it, including those with secondary breast cancer. The NHS Long Term Plan commitment is that all patients, including those with secondary cancers, will have access to the right expertise and support, including a CNS or other support worker by 2021.