‘I had to strip for a photo. It was humiliating. I burst into tears’
Breast cancer patients tell health editor Jo Revill that indignity has been added to their distress. And they say they have not been told the full truth about their treatment.
Half a pint of fear, please
So now we're told drinking increases our risk of breast cancer. But the risk is tiny. There are more important issues around alcohol to worry about, says Sarah Boseley.
What breast cancer patients expect
The Observer's campaign partners, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, have produced a draft pledge for the care which the NHS should promise to every woman diagnosed with breast cancer.
Time to do more
Breast cancer patients deserve better.
‘I’m afraid you have cancer… it could mean a full mastectomy’
The Observer today launches a debate on what kind of care breast cancer patients are entitled to expect. Jo Revill reports on the lottery facing the 25,000 women diagnosed with the disease each year.
Desperate measures
Around 30,000 British women at risk of cancer have been advised to have healthy breasts and ovaries removed - just in case. Is this really the solution? Sarah Boseley reports.
The future’s brighter
The Observer's breast cancer care survey shows that the UK's services are improving. This first public audit highlights regional variations in care and where there is room for further improvement.
Taking up the cause célèbre
Celebrity-fronted campaigns have certainly raised general awareness about breast cancer. But youth and glamour might not always be the most best tactic for reaching high-risk groups of women, says Miranda McMinn.
It’s all in the genes
Major advances in drug therapy have made breast cancer survivable if detected early enough. The next breakthrough will come from genetics research, reports The Observer's health correspondent Jo Revill.
Introduction
The Observer Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment, produced in partnership with Dr Foster, is a unique survey of breast cancer services throughout Great Britain.
Designed to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your local services, the guide marks a step forward in creating a more accountable NHS.
Getting through the worst
What began as a routine test early last year turned into weeks and months of fear and emotion for Linda France. Supported by family, friends and nursing staff, she found some spirited ways of dealing with the prospect of mastectomy.
Ask Emma…
Weekend's natural health therapist answers your questions.
Can fresh fruit really help you beat cancer?
More and more cancer patients are turning down radiation and chemotherapy in favour of a vitamin-rich diet. Doctors have relied on drugs and surgery for too long, brushing aside the importance of feeding patients properly writes Carmen Wheatley.