Breast Cancer Now Forum

Signed.  Thank you. ... View more

Anita,  I filled in a form before approaching my GP for DS1500.  Have you already completed a form? If not it is normal.  I had help with the form from Macmillan CAB.  You must fill in the form answering questions as on your worst days, not average.  I would also advise that you do not fill in forms on your own.  My Dad did, despite me telling him not to, and he was turned down.  He is 84 and also has incurable cancer.  I am convinced he filled in the form saying he could do everything for himself (he can't) and DWP were left with no option but to decline his application.   June xx   ... View more

One year and four months for me. Secondary diagnosis at the same time as primary. Spread to endemetrium, right ovary and multiple bone mets in pelvis, ribs, sacrum and spine. I look like a spotty dog in scans. Thanks Lam. Good idea to start this thread. xx ... View more

Helen, can you add me too. Thanks. ... View more

Thanks Belinda. I will try and catch this if I am at home. June xx ... View more

Catlady. Welcome to the forum although I know you don't want to be here. Same thing happened to me I kept getting told just a cyst right unto a few month before diagnosis of Invasive Lobular cancer with spread to endemetrium, right I ovary, ribs, spine, sternum and pelvis. Multiple places in the bones - loads of small spots. It is hard to get your head around. If you haven't already had a look the bone mets thread is full of inspirational women and I found it a big comfort to reef through. June xx ... View more

Thanks from me too. Very interesting reading and Thumbie you are correct provisions are haphazard. The nearest hospice to me is 112 miles away (as is hospital) so I am unable to access hospice services. There is a Maggie centre at the hospital which is also no good for me. I have to drive a 230 mile round trip no matter what treatment I am getting. In two weeks I have to do tjis on Tuesday then again on Friday as they are completely unable to co-ordinate appointments. The level of treatment is without a doubt extremely variable. I read of women on here whose secondary cancer has been treated far more aggresively than mine. I presented with secondaries at the outset (after breast clinic spent years telling me I had cysts). I think they have not got enough experience of women with ILBC with secondaries at my hospital. Somtimes I think they expect me to be grateful they are keeping me alive. Oncology has now lost a consultant through illness and I have been told by a consultant in a different unit that Oncology are under pressure. Thanks again for link. June ... View more

Linda, thanks I know my Dad is entitled to it and he should appeal. I asked him to wait until I saw him (he is 220 miles away) but he went ahead and filled in the form himself. I can only imagine what he wrote in it (wouldn't have admitted he needed help). He would be entitled under special rules as his cancer is untreatable and he also has an aneurism. There is no telling him. In all honesty the people who considered his application would have probably had their hands tied. My sister spends a lot of time looking after him but he would not have said this on the form. Sue as Linda said Macmillan should help. My own Macmillan nurse put me onto the Macmillan CAB and I saw an adviser while I was at hospital for an appointment. She had the forms and also filled them all in for me. They should be able to do a benefits check for you too. If you do not have Macmillan CAB available then benefits adviser at CAB can fill in forms for you. I agree this is a helpful forum. June xx ... View more

Sue I claimed around six months after being diagnosed with secondaries. I put it off as I would have been devastated if I had been turned down. As said on this thread already get help with application. I applied via Macmillan CAB. Went through with DS1500 very quickly. My Dad who is 83 and has bowel cancer, which cannot be treated, applied on his own for Attendance Allowance and his application was declined. June x ... View more

Marina, so pleased but what a shame you had to go through the worry. June x ... View more

Racer, that is good you have the form completed and sent. I hope you do not have too long to wait for a response. June ... View more

Thanks, Lemongrove. We really have to keep ourselves up to date with policy changes. I was not aware this was hsppening to people. June ... View more