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Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day - October 13

 

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13 is a time to gain and spread knowledge of what sufferers are up against and how society can help. Metastatic means that what began as a case of early-stage breast cancer has metastasized, or spread to other organs (lungs, bones, etc) outside the breasts, and is now considered to be stage four cancer. At this point the only care option is to treat advanced cancer and its side effects, including anxiety; there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer as of this writing. Treatments may include surgeries and chemotherapy, as well as possible clinical trials of new drugs, which along with other palliative care can help improve quality of life and lengthen life span itself. Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and presents an opportunity for us to increase awareness and visibility for those who are championing and fighting for scientific advances.

1 in 3 breast cancer patients will develop metastases. While there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, some individuals are able to live longer than others with the disease, though we don’t know why. So metastatic breast cancer remains a tremendous challenge for doctors and patients alike. October 13th places emphasis on the disease, stressing the need for new, targeted treatments. The challenge is to prolong the life expectancy and quality of life of these patients, and - one day - to find a cure. Until now, very little progress has been made in this domain, something which BIG aims to change.

 

Quick Facts

What is Metastatic Breast Cancer?

MBC is also known as Stage IV cancer that has spread outside of the breast to other organs such as bones, liver, lung, or brain. This process is called metastasis.

Breast cancer that spreads to another organ, such as bones, lung, or liver, is still breast cancer and does not become bone cancer or liver cancer, or lung cancer.  Under a microscope, the tumor cells will still look and act like breast cancer and will be treated as breast cancer.

Who gets metastatic breast cancer?

No one brings metastatic disease on themselves. The sad truth is that anyone who has had an earlier stage of breast cancer can experience a metastatic recurrence and some women have metastatic disease on their initial diagnosis of cancer–despite mammograms and early detection.

Researchers at this time can’t explain why metastatic disease occurs, but they’re working on finding answers. Early detection is a detection tool, but it does not cure or prevent early cancer from coming back in the future as metastatic disease.

What are the statistics on the incidence of metastatic breast cancer?

There are estimates that 20-30% of patients with early-stage cancer will have their cancer return as metastatic, even if they were told their early-stage cancer had been “cured.” Another 8% of new breast cancer cases are found to be metastatic at their initial diagnosis.

What is the main difference between early-stage breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer?

Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) is treatable but no longer curable. Treatment is lifelong and focuses on preventing the further spread of the disease and managing symptoms. The goal is for patients to live a good quality of life for as long as possible.

Depending primarily on the kind or subtype of MBC, patients may be on either targeted therapies or systemic chemotherapy. Radiation and surgery are also sometimes used.

Subtypes for early-stage and metastatic breast cancer are the same: An estimated 65% of patients have Hormonal (estrogen or progesterone driven), also called ER+/PR+; 20% have Her2+(fueled by a protein identified as Her2 neu) and 15% have Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC- which does not have any of the 3 above known biomarkers: ER. PR or HER2). These numbers are approximate because some people have more than one subtype ( HER2+ and ER+) or their subtype may change over time.

Do men get breast cancer?

Yes, men do get breast cancer and they are often misdiagnosed initially. They represent about 1% of the new cases of breast cancer and 1% of the deaths from metastatic breast cancer. (410 deaths in 2012)

Do young women get metastatic breast cancer?

Yes. For young women under 40: 5% of the new cases of breast cancer and 3% of the deaths. Metastatic breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in this age group. For young women under 50: 27% of the new cases of breast cancer and 16% of the deaths.

Why should everyone care about metastatic breast cancer?

Early detection does not guarantee a lifetime cure, and treating early-stage breast cancer does not mean the person will never have breast cancer again. Metastatic breast cancer can occur 5, 10 or 15+ years after a person’s original diagnosis and successful treatment. An estimated 20-30% of women initially diagnosed with early-stage cancer will go on to be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

 

History of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

In 2009 the House and Senate unanimously passed a resolution to recognize one day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October, as specifically devoted to metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The best part is how the proposal reached the floors of Congress to begin with. A group of nine MBC patients and their families had traveled to Washington DC and picketed and demonstrated, and these brave souls were able to catch the attention (with the help of phone-wielding friends back home) of the right people to initiate a vote.

But this is no time to fall into complacency. The pinpointing of one day merely means that, now that the word is out, the onus is upon the public to take action. As stated by the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, “[n]ow it is up to every metastatic breast cancer patient and those who love and support them to find ways to make use of this day…to further our cause to support those living with the disease and demand research to find treatments to extend our lives.”

 

Why Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is Important

It’s often misunderstood

Metastatic breast cancer is the only deadly form of the disease, yet a majority of studies, sources of funding, and calls for attention are dedicated to detecting and treating early-stage cases.

It drives new research

As more people understand metastatic breast cancer, more people will be donating, researching, and fighting for a cure. Right now, metastatic breast cancer is not classified as a chronic disease, but researchers believe it one day could be, and that gap is just one example of how much more needs to be found out.

It builds support networks

Most people know someone who is battling or has battled breast cancer. The more that friends and family of sufferers understand the disease, the better support they can give the patient in the fight against MBC.

 

Observing Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Learn something new

In being a part of the solution, start with yourself. Commit to learning something new — whether by doing online research, volunteering with a local organization, or attending a Metastatic Breast Cancer Day event.

Contribute to the cure

If you’re about to choose a major in college, consider medicine with a focus on oncology, or another supporting professional role. If not, make a one-time or yearly donation to a cancer-fighting organization. Do anything you can to help overcome this disease.

Spread the love

If someone you know is battling breast cancer, reach out to them. Let them know that you want to understand what they're going through and to give your support.






Sources:

https://www.bigagainstbreastcancer.org/news/13-october-metastatic-breast-cancer-awareness-day

https://nationaltoday.com/metastatic-breast-cancer-awareness-day/

http://mbcn.org/october-13-national-metastatic-breast-cancer-awareness-day/



 

Filed Under: Events, diseases, awareness, Cancer