Sponsored by
While living with breast cancer, support networks are critical
A strong and trusted support network can reduce distress and enhance coping
*This project was commissioned, funded and reviewed by Pfizer Inc. Economist Enterprise performed the research independently and retained full editorial control.
As a mother, volunteer and former investment banker, Jill Thompson was always on the move. But her cancer diagnosis and treatment changed everything. “For at least one week during each treatment course, I would be pretty much incapacitated, not able to do anything,” says Ms Thompson, who was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago. Cancer did not just affect her body; it challenged her sense of identity. “I lost my hair, and that had quite an impact on me,” she says. “I stopped going out and doing the things I loved because I was worried about my immunity and the risk of infection.”
Cancer patients say there are a number of stressors associated with a cancer diagnosis, including loneliness, loss of control and loss of hope. But medically, the priority is placed on outcomes. “You're very much focused on doing the right thing to ensure your survival,” explains Ms Thompson, whose oncologists presented her with very strong treatment recommendations. Although grateful for the high level of timely treatment, she didn’t feel there was room for her input—and she suffered from the lack of holistic support during a difficult time. “It's not through lack of willingness to support you,” Ms Thompson says of healthcare providers. “They just do not have time to do it.”
Seeking holistic support
Knowing she required more help, Ms Thompson sought assistance from her primary care doctor, who helped manage her symptoms. But for her mental and morale needs, she pieced together a network of mental health counsellors, fellow patients, family, friends and charity support groups. This network proved invaluable. “You're often awake at night, worrying about stuff, and it's very nice to have some point of contact when you're at your lowest,” she says. But assembling this support and advocacy network was far from easy. “One of the frustrating things about charities is that people don't find out about them until a bit too late in their journey. Navigating the various points of help can be hard for people, especially when you're feeling unwell,” explains Ms Thompson.
Fortunately, her family was an incredible source of support during her cancer journey, advocating and caring for her throughout treatment. One thing she didn’t anticipate, however, was that her supporters would, in turn, need their own support. Her daughter, in particular, suffered silently, refusing to tell anyone she needed help as she shouldered the weight of her mother’s illness along with the stress of preparing for her final year exams. “It affected her studying and her results, but she would not ask for help,” says Ms Thompson. “She didn't even want to tell her school that I had cancer.”
“
Navigating the various points of help can be hard for people, especially when you're feeling unwell.
”
From patient to protector
Living with cancer changed Ms Thompson. Having navigated the gaps in care and realising the importance of support, she joined Breast Cancer Now, the charity that had supported her throughout her journey. She now chairs the board. Communication, information and connecting patients to the correct resources needs to be frictionless, and this is where she hopes to create the greatest difference for those living with cancer. “Most healthcare workers don't know what charities can do, they lack awareness,” she points out. Therefore, she is working to get her organisation embedded within breast cancer care departments. “So whenever somebody is diagnosed, they are automatically signposted to the charity.”
Ms Thompson is also focused on ensuring that patients get a voice in their care, helping them to reclaim the sense of agency that often feels lost after a diagnosis. Relaying patient feedback to healthcare services is helping, she says. Breast Cancer Now has created a patient and healthcare provider collaboration, providing a space for open communication. The collaboration offers an opportunity to say, “Here are some suggestions on how you can improve things.”
It's not through lack of willingness to support you,” Ms Thompson says of healthcare providers. “They just do not have time to do it.
“
”
Improving integrated care
The holistic support a patient may need can change, depending on the stage of their diagnosis. In the US, there are an estimated 17m cancer survivors, but nearly one in five new diagnoses occur as second cancers for survivors.1 Ms Thompson believes that there is a need for better co-ordination in care, particularly in secondary cases like that of breast cancer. “The big issue with breast cancer is there is a very long-term risk of it coming back. So there needs to be enough information for patients in that scenario to know what the signs and symptoms of breast cancer returning are.” In the UK, an estimated 61,000 people2 are currently living with secondary breast cancer, and organisations such as Breast Cancer Now play a vital role in providing courses and support during treatment and recovery.
Effective communication is essential in all aspects of the patient pathway. And patients really need to be heard. “We know awareness of the signs and symptoms of secondary cancer is low, and there can be difficulties when it comes to getting a referral from a primary care doctor to go back to the breast cancer team.”
Early diagnosis of secondary breast cancer matters. A prompt diagnosis ensures that patients have access to treatment and care to relieve symptoms and dramatically improve their quality of life. “We know through our work that, far too often, patients face delays that could be avoided,”3 Ms Thompson explains. “More action is needed to ensure that both GPs and people with primary breast cancer feel educated and supported to quickly spot signs of secondary breast cancer, and for GPs to have the information they need to determine the most appropriate referral pathway for their patients.”
“For those with secondary breast cancer, it is about treating the disease, with currently no cure, and it is crucial patients feel in control of decision-making,” Ms Thompson notes. Naturally, this is when a support network is critically important. And advocates like her are committed to ensuring that this experience is made easier.
References
- https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/second-cancers (accessed May 2025)
- https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/if/ (accessed May 2025)
PP-UNP-GBR-15129, July 2026
The findings and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor. Economist Enterprise retains full editorial control over research and is solely responsible for all content.