Every month in the UK, approximately 1,000 people will lose their lives to secondary (metastatic) breast cancer - the leading cause of death for women under 60 in the UK*.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are shining a light on the visible and invisible sides to living with the disease through our Truth Be Told campaign. This raw and inspiring collection of 15 portraits shows two sides: the physical tolls, impact of treatment, vulnerability…as well as the resilience, strength and hope these women and men demonstrate.
Join us this month to help raise important awareness about this disease.
Donna, Bedfordshire
“People think it’s curable. They don’t understand why we’re still on treatment – they expect an end date. But there is no end – I’m on lifelong treatment.
People need to see the truth - they tell me: “You look well.” But they don’t see the internal scars – the trauma, the fatigue, the mental load. This is what life actually looks like when we’re not wearing the mask."
Our recent You Gov survey showed that 40% of adults in the UK have never heard of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and 36% of UK adults don’t know what any of the signs and symptoms are.
Our survey also showed that:
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Over a quarter (28%) of UK adults believe secondary (metastatic) breast cancer can (wrongly) be cured
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Only 10% of UK adults selected the correct range “1,000 to 1999” for the approximate number of people secondary (metastatic) breast cancer kills every month
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Over a third (37%) of UK adults didn’t know that men can get secondary (metastatic) breast cancer.
We need to change the conversation about secondary breast cancer.
The symptoms of secondary breast cancer will vary from person to person, so it is important that you listen to your body and notice anything new.
Please talk to your GP or clinical team as soon as possible if you develop any symptoms that are new, unexplained and persistent.
How you can help
- If you are active on social media, follow us @make2ndscount and share our content
- Have conversations with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about secondary breast cancer - the facts, the signs & symptoms - and get alongside those living with it
- Make a donation to continue our work giving hope to those living with secondary breast cancer
- Sign up to our eNewsletter to find out more about the work we do.
View our Truth Be Told portraits
Thank you to photographer Jennifer Willis for using her skills and expertise to bring this important campaign to life.
*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