Aim This aim of the study was to explore the information and support needs of women with secondary breast cancer (SBC).

Method A qualitative focus group study with 12 women aged 29-70 years with SBC was carried out in a UK hospital. Participants had secondary cancers in bone, brain, liver and lung.

Findings A thematic analysis revealed participants felt unsupported by the care system compared to the level of support they received as primary breast cancer patients. Three overarching themes reflected an immediate sense of loss of formal support on diagnosis of SBC, a changed identity and associated self-stigma, and the emotional effects of living with the knowledge that their cancer is incurable.

Conclusion Women living with SBC have specific support needs that must be better recognised by healthcare providers. The extent to which SBC nurses can meet these unmet needs should be evaluated.