This stands for the British Association of Cancer United Patients and their families and friends. It was founded by Dr Vicky Clement-Jones after she was treated for ovarian cancer. It became fully operational on 31 October 1985 — merging since with Macmillan Cancer Support. The aim is to provide an information service to cancer patients who want to know more about their illness or who need practical advice on how to cope with it. Backup does not seek to replace the traditional relationship between the doctor and patient, nor does it recommend specific treatment for particular patients; it aims to help patients understand more about their illness so that they can communicate more effectively and freely with their medical advisers and their families and friends.
Anything that serves to replace a function or system that fails.