Senedd debate on support and care for those with secondary breast cancer
A petition from Tassia Haines from Baglan has more than 14,000 signatures
Members of the Senedd will debate concerns over the treatment and support given to those with secondary breast cancer in Wales later.
It's after more than 14 thousand people signed a petition set up by 30 year old Tassia Haines from Baglan, Port Talbot.
She was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer - which is incurable - two years ago.
She's since been campaigning for urgent action to improve treatment and care for metastatic - or secondary - breast cancer.
She wrote an open letter to the Welsh Government and in her petition to the Senedd, she said: “I must inform you, Wales is failing when it comes to meeting the needs of MBC patients, according to us - the people dying from the disease and the close people supporting those with MBC (Metastatic Breast Cancer)
“Imagine having the knowledge that you are not only slowly dying but are also having elements of your identity and life robbed by this invisible, vastly misunderstood disease?
“Can you comprehend what it is like to navigate your final months/years between disability, pain and death? And in my case be too sick to pursue a career and have a family, but is not sick enough to die, just yet?
“Now consider the feeling of impending dread as you realise the system you supported your whole life withheld the knowledge from you that could have potentially prevented this from happening and is also making you face your end alone?
“We’re calling upon the Health Minister to help make the central changes to bring back best practice within MBC and meet the needs of patient care.
"Due to the lack of data of those living with MBC and their needs in Wales we feel this letter is an important step forward to represent our issues and desires for change.”