This autumn saw one of liveliest Political Party Conference seasons of recent years. Members of Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Campaigns & Advocacy Network (known as Breakthrough CAN) were at each of the three main political party conferences to experience the excitement first hand. At each conference CAN members attended Breakthrough’s meetings called Decision impossible: Choosing between patients, drugs and staff and To boldly go...? Breaking the barriers to medical research in the UK. The role for Government (Liberal Democrat and Conservative conference only) and contributed to the debate from the audience. CAN members also met Members of Parliament and key opinion formers, alongside Breakthrough staff, to talk to them about breast cancer issues.

CAN Member Caroline Sharpe, who attended the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth, wrote the following account of her experience:
“I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer in October 2004. During my treatment I became increasingly aware that access to the latest life saving drugs and treatment is a lottery based on one’s ability to pay or postcode. As a result, I have become involved in breast cancer advocacy on both a national and local level. In October 2005 I attended Breakthrough’s Westminster Fly-In and prior to the summer holidays I also conducted a series of interviews as part of Breakthrough’s Service Pledge project.

However, it was Breakthrough’s invitation to participate in the political conference season which interested me most of all. It was David Cameron’s first conference as Tory leader after nine years of a Labour Government and I was intrigued to see how he would position himself in relation to the NHS.

Having applied and been selected, I attended a training session specifically run to support CAN members attending conference. At the training we were encouraged to participate and to use our personal voice and experience to influence those we would meet. This support was very helpful in preparing us for the challenges we were to face.

After some last minute preparation, I made my way from London to Bournemouth. Whilst at the conference, I attended a number of fringe meetings. One, hosted by Macmillan, was well chaired by Vivienne Parry and led to a lively debate on the merits of a second cancer plan.

I also attended a couple of meetings with Breakthrough’s Chief Executive Jeremy Hughes. The first with Angela Watkinson MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, was an opportunity to restate our key messages: to ensure that the Government’s target of a 70% uptake of invites to breast screening appointments is being achieved, that no woman has to wait more than three years between breast screening appointments and that women over 70 know that they are able to arrange their own screening appointments and are aware of the benefits of doing so.. Clearly a supporter of Breakthrough, Ms Watkinson was also sympathetic to the idea of printing breast awareness messages on a formal NHS letter.

My second meeting was with Julia Manning from the 20/20 Health Team. I was really impressed with how interested Julia Manning, Director of 2020 Health, was in my views on the patient’s cancer journey and their need for improved emotional support.

Finally, I spoke at the fringe meeting organised by Breakthrough, Decision Impossible: Choosing between patients, drugs and NHS staff. I argued the need for consistency and transparency in the allocation of new life saving drugs but I also emphasised the value of good communication and counselling skills when dealing with patients who were frequently in a state of grief, shock and loss. Shadow Health Minister John Baron MP spoke of the need for patient involvement in the design of new services and the value of specialist key workers such as Breast Care Nurses. Clearly the NHS is now a priority for the Conservatives and I hope they use the opportunity to consult with patients prior to confirming their policies.

I really enjoyed my time at conference and feel more confident as a fledgling breast cancer advocate! I am convinced that patients can provide a unique and valuable role in influencing policy and the quality of support services.”

Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Campaigns & Advocacy Network, which is known as Breakthrough CAN aims to bring individuals and organisations together to campaign for improvements in breast cancer services, treatment and research across the country. By supporting and training members, Breakthrough CAN strives to increase the influence of people in all decisions made about breast cancer. As a member of Breakthrough CAN you're welcome to call upon the expertise of our Campaigns & Advocacy Network team. You will be invited to attend our CAN Training courses and annual training and lobbying event, the Westminster Fly-In. So if you are interested in campaigning locally for access to breast cancer services and treatments visit www.breakthrough.org.uk/CAN to sign up today. Breakthrough CAN is free to join and the more members we have the louder and stronger our voices will become and we can work together towards our goal - a future free from the fear of breast cancer.