Join us for a discussion on BC & low-income households

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Hello

Thought some of you might be interested in coming to this discussion event we’re holding on 9 December in London.

Breast cancer and low-income households: In perspective
Thursday 9 December 2010, 6.30–8.30pm
Convocation Hall, Church House Conference Centre, London

“Breast cancer and low-income households: In perspective” is the second in a new series of events organised by Breast Cancer Care that brings together people working in health policy with people affected by breast cancer to discuss key issues.

This event will look at the issues affecting people diagnosed with breast cancer whilst living in low-income households. We know that the least affluent people in the UK have, as a group, lower relative survival rates for breast cancer.

We want to explore what can be done to improve this situation by encouraging early presentation with breast cancer symptoms and making sure that breast cancer awareness messages and information about breast screening reach the least affluent members of our society.

Our guest speakers will include Daniel Devitt, Head of Health Inequalities for NHS Camden and Jane Allberry, Deputy Director, Cancer Services, Department of Health.

There will be time for comments and questions from the audience and, when the formal part of the evening has finished, there will be the opportunity to continue the discussion over some light refreshments.

If you would like to join us for this discussion evening, RSVP by 3 December to Emma Skingsley, email <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%65%6d%6d%61%2e%73%6b%69%6e%67%73%6c%65%79%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%65%6d%6d%61%2e%73%6b%69%6e%67%73%6c%65%79%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script> or call 020 79603574.

If you can’t make it, but you’re interested in the issues, contact Emma to let her know, as we’ll probably write a report of the event, which we could send you afterwards.

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One of the worst aspects in having nbeen diagnosed with breast cancern 5 years ago- apart from the diagnosis and treatment- was being so affected financially.
I lost my job and so from when my treatment started I was immediately worse off.

But at least I am still alive- and mentally fighting!

Wish I could be there with you- but due to finances won;t be able to attend.
lambkin

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When I was diagnosed with bc, I had to go on incapacity benefit as due to my job as a teaching assistant I was advised that the chances of my contracting an infection was very high. Unfortunately trying to live on the amount given was very difficult at an already stressful time and at the end of the treatment I was in debt. Happily, it’s all paid off but was extemely stessful.

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I am so pleased to see this event is taking place as the economic side of cancer is one of my real bugbears.

Well done BCC for doing this - but may I suggest that in future some travel expenses bursaries are made available - given that the topic is centred on low income families.

Also many people do not start out as low income households - but the experience of breast cancer pushes them into that bracket. I am a freelancer and a single parent and this whole experience of cancer has hit us very hard financially.

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Hi, I would not be able to attend this in London as it is too far for me to travel, but would be really interested in what is said and the outcome of the discussion.

I have been off work since 8th March. I had to wait until my SSP stopped (which you get for 28 weeks), before I could claim any ESA, but had to notify tax credits and had my working tax credit stopped.

I am now on £65 a week ESA and still have to send in medical certificates (I didn’t realise this and have just found out that I have not received any money for the last 4 weeks, but that’s another story).

I am hoping it will go up on 23rd December(after 13 weeks of receiving it, it is supposed to go up by £25). I really hope so, my only other income is child tax credit and child benefit !!

My partner is deceased so no other income for me or our children (we weren’t married when he died so I was refused Widowed Parents Allowance for our children, even though we had joint mortgage, bank account and had written our Wills to each other - something else which seriously needs to be addressed!!

Also, I don’t get any help with my mortgage. I have sent off 2 forms so far to my mortgage lenders but DWP say they havn’t had them back, so I now have to fill in a third form and send it off and keep my fingers crossed.

The stress of all the financial burden has been really bad and has really made my depression plummet over the past few months.

I really hope something good comes out of the discussion. Thanks for listening.

Samm xx

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Thanks for all your comments, which the policy team will take on board. Unfortunately we have had to postpone the event, and we will reschedule it for the new year.

If you want to be kept up to date about the new date for the event, please contact Emma Skingsley, email <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%65%6d%6d%61%2e%73%6b%69%6e%67%73%6c%65%79%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%65%6d%6d%61%2e%73%6b%69%6e%67%73%6c%65%79%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script> or call 020 79603574.

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Hello everyone,

We have now rescheduled this event for Thursday 27th January 2011, 6-8pm. The venue will still be Convocation Hall, Church House Conference Centre, London.

If you would like to join us for this discussion evening, RSVP by 21st January to Emma Skingsley, email <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%65%6d%6d%61%2e%73%6b%69%6e%67%73%6c%65%79%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%65%6d%6d%61%2e%73%6b%69%6e%67%73%6c%65%79%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script> or call 020 7960 3574.

Please note that we do have a limited budget available to cover travel expenses for those who wish to attend this event. If you would like your travel expenses to be reimbursed, please RSVP by 15th January, with an indication of your travel costs.