MORE than one in five patients who survive breast cancer the first time will see the disease recur within 10 years of entering remission, according to a new study.

Research by Macmillan Cancer Support has, for the first time, put a figure on rates of recurrence among UK breast cancer patients, and examined the rates of survival among patients following a second diagnosis.

The study also claims sufferers are given "little practical or emotional support" to cope with a new diagnosis.

The cases of 1000 patients in the north of England found that 22.6% saw their breast cancer return within 10 years of receiving the all-clear following treatment for their first episode of the disease, equivalent to a rate of more than one in five.

Preliminary results also show 51% of those whose breast cancer returned had lived disease-free for more than three years and on average survived for at least one year after their recurrence – one in 20 sufferers surviving at least 10 years after recurrence.

Previously, data has only been available on rates of diagnosis and the average rate and length of survival following initial diagnosis. However, the findings appear to tie with the results of a major Canadian study in 2009 which found women with "dense" breast tissue had a 21% risk of their cancer returning within 10 years compared to 5% of sufferers with less dense breast tissue.

Meanwhile, an international study published in 2005 found an average of two in five sufferers would experience recurrence within five years of surgery.

The results of the Macmillan study – led by the St James's Institute of Oncology in Leeds – will be presented at the National Cancer Intelligence Network conference in Birmingham this week.

Dr Adam Glaser, one of the study's principal investigators, said: "The aim of this study is to begin to understand more about how long people may survive without recurrence, how long they may survive if cancer does return, the cost of each stage of cancer treatment, and how we can best plan services for cancer patients. These findings are invaluable in helping us understand just how many breast cancer patients are experiencing cancer for the first or second time."

Around one in eight women in Scotland will be diganosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2010, there were 4457 cases of female breast cancer in Scotland – up 12% in 10 years – but survival rates have also been increasing. In 2010, 1022 women died from breast cancer, an increase of just six compared to 2000 despite the surge in diagnoses.

James Jopling, interim Scotland director at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, called for more research on rates of breast cancer recurrence in Scotland.

He said: "We welcome this study as a useful first step towards knowing how many breast cancer patients might experience a recurrence of their disease. It's vital to know how many patients' breast cancer is likely to return to allow the NHS to better plan and provide for their needs.

"We may need further studies from Scotland and other parts of the UK before we can accurately say what the true rate of breast cancer recurrence is nationally."

Jane Maher, chief medical officer of Macmillan Cancer Support, added that services needed to be better tailored to patients with a re-diagnosis.

She said: "Not only do these women have to deal with the shock of their breast cancer returning, but also far too many are given very little practical or emotional support. The assumption being, they know what to expect from the first time they were treated.

"It is essential health professionals identify breast cancer recurrence early and take heed of this emerging evidence to better prepare breast cancer patients to help mitigate or cope with a recurrent disease.

"We need to see this as a priority across the NHS."