Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
The observance of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is on October 13 each year. This day highlights the unique challenges faced by those living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Unlike early-stage breast cancer, which many patients successfully treat and never see again, MBC requires ongoing management. Patients diagnosed with MBC must actively live with breast cancer for the rest of their lives, as this stage of cancer spreads beyond the breast to other organs like bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
Metastatic breast cancer remains breast cancer, no matter where it spreads. It does not become bone, liver, or lung cancer. Doctors treat it as breast cancer because the cancer cells behave the same way. About 20-30% of early-stage breast cancer patients experience a return of their cancer as metastatic, even if initially told they were cured. Another 8% of patients receive a metastatic diagnosis at the start. While MBC is treatable, it is not curable. Treatments aim to control the cancer, reduce symptoms, and maintain the highest quality of life possible.
The Importance of Observing Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is October 13. This day highlights the reality that metastatic breast cancer is different from early-stage breast cancer. Patients with metastatic breast cancer live with cancer every day. Their treatment never ends.
What is Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer spreads beyond the breast to other organs like bones, liver, lungs, or brain. It remains breast cancer, no matter where it spreads. Around 20-30% of early-stage patients see their cancer return as metastatic. Another 8% receive a metastatic diagnosis at the start. Metastatic breast cancer is treatable but not curable. Treatments aim to control the cancer and keep patients comfortable.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on shrinking tumors, managing symptoms, and stopping the cancer from spreading. Doctors adjust treatment as cancer grows or shrinks. When one treatment stops working, others may help. The two main goals are to control the cancer as long as possible and maintain quality of life.
Sometimes, patients reach periods with no evidence of disease, called NED. Even though MBC is not curable, cancer can stay stable for a time. Metastatic breast cancer can happen to anyone, anytime. Early-stage cancer can become metastatic years later.
Each patient’s treatment plan aims to fight cancer effectively and preserve their lifestyle. About 40,000 people die of breast cancer each year. All breast cancer deaths come from metastatic disease. Men get breast cancer too, though rarely. They make up about 1% of cases and deaths.
Lives Lost
This awareness day honors the lives lost, like Lisa and Jo. Their memories inspire us to keep fighting. 💗