Olubukola Ayodele/LinkedIn
Jun 17, 2025, 21:07
Olubukola Ayodele: Day 1 of the Secondary Breast Cancer Patient Summit
Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Day 1 of the Secondary Breast Cancer Patient Summit in Liverpool, organized by the dedicated team at Make 2nds Count, has truly set an inspiring tone for what lies ahead over these powerful days.
We began with a heartfelt keynote address from Dr. Fatima Cardoso, the founder of the ABC Global Alliance. She shared some hopeful news regarding the progress in secondary breast cancer survival, with the average extending to five years, up from just two. However, she reminded us that survival is only part of the story we need to tell.
Too often, patients living with metastatic disease find themselves overlooked. Their care is not prioritized, and many options remain unexplored. She made a passionate plea for a shift in mindset; our patients deserve more than just maintenance care; they deserve hope and access to every possible avenue for treatment.
She also brought to light a crucial gap in data within the UK. The cancer registries do not adequately reflect the reality of metastatic breast cancer, making it difficult for us to understand how many people are living with this condition. The findings from the Metastatic National Audit presented in October 2024 highlighted this alarming issue. If we aren’t counting everyone, we struggle to advocate effectively for their care and necessary resources.
Moreover, Dr. Cardoso emphasized an essential point: acceptable toxicity should be defined by patients, not solely by researchers. This is a movement led by patients, and their experiences must inform the way we approach their care.
Later on, Sarah Adomah, the Lead Breast CNS from the Royal Marsden, presented a thought-provoking talk about managing treatment side effects. She encouraged patients to communicate openly with their healthcare teams so we can provide better support. She also touched on an often-overlooked symptom: the deep, complex fatigue that goes beyond ordinary tiredness. This type of fatigue can’t be easily measured, yet it significantly impacts one’s quality of life.
We concluded the day with a poignant panel discussion hosted by Prof Dame Lesley Fallowfield, featuring Dr. Liz O’Riordan and Ashley Dalton MP, both of whom are living with metastatic breast cancer and courageously using their experiences to advocate for change.
Dr. O’Riordan shared a powerful sentiment that resonated with everyone in the room: “We are not people to be pushed aside.”
This summit serves as a powerful reminder that individuals with metastatic breast cancer are not just statistics; they are advocates, survivors, and experts in their own journeys. I feel truly honoured to be speaking on Tuesday and Wednesday and look forward to participating in these crucial conversations that matter so deeply.
Finally got to meet the amazing Samantha Dixon, CEO of Make 2nds Count.”
More posts featuring Olubukola Ayodele.
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