Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer
- 90% of woman with breast cancer are living thanks to early detection and new treatments. Despite the progress, metastatic, or breast cancer that has spread in the body, is still incurable.
- The actress Shannen Doherty passed over the weekend from late stage breast cancer at age 53. Her passing is another reminder that there is still so much more progress needed on metastatic breast cancer research.
- Doherty battled breast cancer since 2015. Although the cancer went into remission in 2017, it returned as stage 4 cancer in 2019, meaning it has spread to other body parts, including her brain. She underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor last year. She embarked on a new round of chemotherapy prior to her passing over the weekend.
- Dr. Kenneth D. Miller, medical oncologist at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, tells SurvivorNet, “Metastatic breast cancer is a treatable disease. Fortunately, we have so many new treatments for women with recurrent breast cancer and for many women who look at this as a chronic disease that they can live with ‘often for many years.’ Still, this type of breast cancer is incurable and needs dramatically more research and much better options for women.”
- While treatment for metastatic breast cancer is not curative, it can improve your quality of life. You and your doctor will work together to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
- For help finding a clinical trial that’s right for you, try our easy-to-use Clinical Trial Finder.
As we mourn the loss of resilient 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actress Shannen Doherty, who passed away over the weekend from late stage breast cancer at age 53, we're reminded how there's still so much more progress needed on metastatic breast cancer research. Doherty battled breast cancer since 2015. Although the cancer went into remission in 2017, it came back as stage four metastatic breast cancer in 2019, meaning it has spread to other body parts, including her brain. She underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor last year and started a new round of chemotherapy treatment this summer before she passed. Although much has been done in the fight against breast cancer, a falsehood exists that the disease has solved—as there's still no known cure for metastatic breast cancer, a late-stage form of the disease in which cancer cells have spread past the breast to other organs in the body. Thankfully, organizations like
METAvivor , is dedicated to funding research for stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and
TNBC Thrivers , an organization supporting those in the triple negative breast cancer community.
RELATED: 'Pink is Not a Cure': Some Breast Cancer Survivors Say 'Pink' Doesn't Represent Them METAvivor shared an article of Shannen Doherty's passing to the organization's Instagram story in the wake of her death, writing along side it, "#StageIVNeedsMore."
METAvivor prides itself as "the only organization in the US that exclusively funds MBC research through a scientific peer-review process," explaining, "we award research grants to individuals with a clinical or other doctoral degree who are actively engaged in areas of metastatic breast cancer research, and whose proposals show distinct promise in making a difference for the stage 4 breast cancer community. "Our mission is to transition metastatic breast cancer from a terminal diagnosis to a chronic, manageable disease with a decent quality of life."
METAvivor's website adds, "Metastatic breast cancer occurs when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, liver and brain and has an average life expectancy of 24-36 months. R "Regardless of early detection, approximately 30% of stage 0 to III breast cancers will return as stage IV. An estimated 43,700 Americans will die from breast cancer in 2024, equal to 117 people per day. Less than 5% of U.S. breast cancer funding goes towards MBC research, yet 98% of all breast cancer deaths are due to metastatic disease." We're happy to see METAvivor's 2024 #LightUpMBC global campaign will continue raising awareness for the disease and the importance of research and funding. They firmly believe that "at least 30% of the funds given to breast cancer organizations should be dedicated to metastatic breast cancer." Meanwhile, TNBC Thrivers also took to Instagram in the wake of Doherty's passing, offering comfort to those in the late-stage breast cancer community. The post, which featured a drawing of a hand holding a paper reading, "
their story isn't your story ," was accompanied with the caption, "We are saddened to hear the recent news of the passing of Shannen Doherty. @theshando took her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis and shined the biggest light, which is often not common when it comes to high profile celebrities and we were so grateful for all that she did for the breast cancer community far and wide. "We also know the impact that this leaves on the breast cancer community and want to remind you that even though another thriver gained her wings too soon, her story is NOT your story. Sending love and light to all those feeling this today."
According to another organization working to transform the lives of people living with metastatic breast,
MBCAlliance , "More funds need to be directed to MBC research. MBC-focused research made up only 7% of the $15-billion invested in breast cancer research from 2000 to 2013 by government and nonprofit funders in North America and the United Kingdom. "The field of MBC research is relatively small and specific scientific areas are understudied." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqUS582jkfg Additionally, nonprofit organization
Breast Cancer Research Foundation is also working toward the same goal, sharing a few years back that since BCRF was founded in 1993 "breast cancer mortality rates in the U.S. have declined by 40 percent." BCRF states, "Research is the reason more women and men are being diagnosed earlier, and then surviving and thriving after breast cancer. It’s the reason we have refined diagnostics, molecularly targeted therapies, and, more recently, precision treatments—all developments that have improved outcomes and saved millions of lives. And BCRF-funded investigators have been a part of every major breakthrough in breast cancer. "But why is research still the reason? The numbers paint a heartbreaking picture: One in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime, and an estimated 168,000 women in the U.S. are living with metastatic breast cancer, meaning it has spread beyond the breasts and lymph nodes. Of all women diagnosed with breast cancer, 25 to 30 percent will experience a recurrence. Despite our progress, metastatic breast cancer remains incurable, and tragically, more than 42,000 women and men will die from it this year."
Expert Metastatic Breast Cancer Resources
Understanding Stage 4 (Metastatic) Breast Cancer
Stage 4, or metastatic breast cancer, means that the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body. Even though there is currently no cure for metastatic breast cancer, doctors have many options to treat this stage advanced stage of breast cancer. Kelly Crump is a perfect example as to how people can live happily despite battling the disease.
RELATED: 'Not Done Living & Loving' Said Actress Shannen Doherty– She Placed Hope In Experimental Drug Trials To Treat Metastatic Breast Cancer Hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted drugs are all options to talk to her doctor about, depending on your individual needs. Sometimes surgery and/or radiation is considered as part of the treatment, but mainly it is important to focus on improving your quality of life.
Expert Metastatic Breast Cancer Resources
The treatment plan for metastatic breast cancer patients depends on the specific needs of the woman, whether they need an aggressive chemotherapy or depending on the doctor’s assessment, they may benefit from another medication. For hormone receptive positive cancer breast cancer patients, doctors try to see how long they can keep patients on oral therapies. Very often, newly diagnosed metastatic hormone receptive-positive breast cancers (where cells have either estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PR) receptors or both) respond best with different hormonal medications, and sometimes for many many years.
Treating Metastatic Breast Cancer Dr. Erica Mayer, a medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, says clinical trials have shown that hormone medicines are more effective when paired with targeted therapies. At some point, chemotherapy will be introduced. And according to Dr. Mayer, it’s delivered at a dose and schedule that’s as well-tolerated as possible. “We are so lucky in breast cancer that we have so many effective and well-tolerated treatments,” Dr. Mayer tells SurvivorNet. I’m so gratified to see that patients are doing better and living longer today with metastatic breast cancer than they have ever done before.”
Do You Have HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer? Here’s A Breakdown Of Some Of Your Treatment Options Bottom line, there are more and more options becoming available for patients to manage symptoms of advanced stage disease, and it’s best to talk about specific treatment plans and what is best for you with your own doctor.
Treating Metastatic Breast Cancer
With metastatic breast cancer, the primary goal of treatment is to control its spread.
SurvivorNet offers information about what those options are from targeted therapies to chemotherapy and when these various treatment options can be used. We also provide information on new, exciting research that is currently being tested in
clinical trials and information about when recently approved drugs, like immunotherapies, can be used. For help finding a clinical trial that may be right for you or a loved one, try our
easy-to-use Clinical Trial Finder. While there have been many developments in recent years when it comes to treating late-stage breast cancer, which therapies can be used will depend on the characteristics of the patient’s cancer.
What are the Treatment Options for Late-Stage Breast Cancer? Late-stage breast cancer is not one disease, but many different diseases so the options available to different patients vary a great deal. Which treatment doctors recommend will depend on several factors like a woman’s overall health, genetics, the biology of the tumor, and more. Treatment for late-stage breast cancer can include a combination of:
Chemotherapy : Oral or IV medications that are toxic to tumor cells
Hormonal therapies : Drugs that lower estrogen levels or block estrogen receptors from allowing the cancer cells to grow
Targeted therapies : Drugs that target your tumor’s specific gene mutations
Immunotherapy : Medications that stimulate your immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells
Radiation : The use of high-energy rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors
Surgery : To remove a cancerous tumor or lymph nodes (uncommon with stage IV; more common in stages I, II, and III)
Clinical trials : Studies of new medications, treatments, and other therapies offer hope for better outcomes
Treating Her2-positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Can Metastatic Breast Cancer be Prevented?
While there’s no sure way to prevent metastatic breast cancer, researchers are working diligently to find ways you can
prevent the first (or primary) breast cancer from returning or metastasizing. Dr. Kenneth D. Miller, medical oncologist at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, recommended, in an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, making lifestyle adjustments to reduce risk factors and improve cancer survivorship, including:
- Eat a low-fat diet: Women who eat a low-fat diet tend to have lower levels of estrogen in their blood, which could help reduce risk.
- Choose a colorful diet: Women who eat a varied diet of fruits and vegetables may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
- Exercise for two or more hours weekly: Studies suggest that physical activity can lower breast cancer recurrence.
- Maintain a healthy body weight: Women who are overweight after treatment for breast cancer may be at higher risk of recurrence
- Limit alcohol intake: Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of recurrence.
Maintaining Quality of Life With Metastatic Breast Cancer
“Metastatic breast cancer is a treatable disease,” explains Dr. Miller. “Fortunately, we have so many new treatments for women with recurrent breast cancer and for many women who look at this as a chronic disease that they can live with “often for many years.” While treatment for metastatic breast cancer is not curative, it can
improve your quality of life . You and your doctor will work together to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. “Quality of life typically involves many things including treating symptoms effectively and modifying lifestyle to allow time for treatment and to accommodate to living with a chronic disease. A positive attitude doesn’t cure cancer but also contributes to living well with cancer. Faith, spirituality, intimate relationships, friends, and families help as well.”
RELATED: Promising Targeted Therapy, Padcev, Falls Short of Meeting Goals for Advanced Breast Cancer — But May Still Have a Future Treating the Disease In some cases, you may need more aggressive therapies that can be lifesaving. Finding the right combination of treatments for your breast cancer and your body may take some time. Be patient and work with your doctor to arrive at the right treatment plan. Remember, when you are fighting metastatic breast cancer, it can be hard to remember the good in life. No matter what treatments you are undergoing, it’s important to maintain a support system around you and an optimistic outlook. If you are feeling overwhelmed and unable to go on, seek help. And talk to your physician. Your physician can recommend support groups or other professionals that can help make your journey easier.
Clinical Trials Offer Hope, but They’re Not for Everyone
Studies of new treatment options are called clinical trials, and they are an essential part of medicine for two reasons: Clinical trials help doctors better understand cancer and discover more effective treatment methods. They also allow patients to try a treatment before it’s approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , which can be life-changing. WATCH: Clinical Trials Help Find New Treatment Options
Dr. Beth Karlan is a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health. She says the goal with clinical trials is to advance cancer research to a point where the disease becomes akin to diabetes, where it becomes a manageable condition. “
Clinical trials hopefully can benefit you, but is also providing very, very vital information to the whole scientific community about the effectiveness of these treatments,"
Dr. Karlan said. “They can be lifesaving. In the last few years, we’ve seen many children and adults who have participated in trials and had miraculous results,” Dr. Karlan continued.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff 
Most Popular
Comments / 0