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A new film charting the lives of four women living with secondary breast cancer has been released to help others with the disease.

The 30-minute film was commissioned by Breast Cancer Care, the UK’s leading provider of information and support to people with breast cancer and their families, and will premiere on Community Channel on 28th March 2008.

Take Each Day – Living with Secondary Breast Cancer follows four women with secondary breast cancer – an advanced form of the disease that can not be cured but can be controlled, sometimes for years.

Through a series of intimate interviews the documentary-style film shows how the women cope with the day-to-day reality of living with the condition and its impact on family and friends.

Liz Reed, Nurse Researcher at Breast Cancer Care, has just completed a three-year research project looking at the experience of people living with secondary breast cancer.

She is also one of three medical experts who appear in the film, discussing issues such as palliative care, the emotional aspect of diagnoses and coping mechanisms.

“Breast Cancer Care offers a growing range of support options to people with secondary breast cancer, including telephone support groups. Living with Secondary Breast Cancer courses and on-line forums, and this film complements all of these services,” Liz said.

“It will also be of great interest to people who do not want to talk openly about their illness, as it means they can still connect with others in a similar situation, and find out more valuable information about their condition.”

The film will premiere on Community Channel at 8pm on Friday, March 28. It will be shown regularly on the channel throughout the year and can be viewed online and full screen from the date of premiere.

Copies of the DVD can also be obtained, free of charge, from Breast Cancer Care’s helpline on 0808 800 6000 or via www.breastcancercare.org.uk

Ends

Notes to Editors

Interviews with film subjects are available on request. To arrange an interview, or for any other media enquiries, please contact:
Ian Manley at Breast Cancer Care on 0207 960 3450 or e-mail ianm@breastcancercare.org.uk
Penny Crook at Community Channel on 0207 874 7651, pennyc@communitychannel.org, or 
Rachel Lailey on 0207 874 7098, rachell@communitychannel.org

Secondary Breast Cancer
Secondary breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the first (primary) tumour in the breast through the lymphatic or blood system to other parts of the body. A diagnoses of secondary breast cancer means that the cancer cannot be cured, although it can be treated and controlled, sometimes for years.

Community Channel
Community Channel is dedicated to engaging audiences with the charitable and voluntary sector, showcasing stories and issues that inspire action and encourage involvement.  Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme makers, Community Channel is the place for real-life stories from communities around the world.  

The channel is broadcast 24 hours a day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and from 6am to 9am on Freeview 87.  The channel is a free-to-air TV station available to 16.5 million digital households in the UK and to 41 million potential viewers. Around 1.5 million people tune in every month and we receive more than 12,000 interactions with viewers a week.

Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care has been working for over 30 years to make a difference in the lives of people affected by breast cancer. We provide accurate, easy to understand information as well as practical and emotional support. We are the only breast cancer charity working across the UK to provide these services.

Every year we respond to more than two million requests for support and information about breast cancer or breast health concerns. All our services are free. We are committed to campaigning for better treatment and support for people with breast cancer and their families.

Anyone with breast cancer or breast health concerns can get free, confidential support and information from the Breast Cancer Care helpline on 0808 800 6000 or by visiting www.breastcancercare.org.uk

For more information about breast cancer and the work of Breast Cancer Care visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or contact the press office on 0845 092 0807.