Breast cancer will affect 1 in 8 women, according to the American Cancer Society. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the U.S.
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is cancer that originated in the breasts and has spread to other parts of the body. It may be apparent at the time of initial breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, or it can occur months or years later as recurrent breast cancer.
The most common place for breast cancer to spread is to the bones. The liver and the lungs are other areas where breast cancer can metastasize.
100% of breast cancer deaths occur because of metastasis, and almost 100% of people whose breast cancer has metastasized will die from it. In the United States alone, this means that more than 40,000 vibrant lives are lost each year.
Despite these stark realities, the popular breast cancer fundraising movements give on average only 2-5% of their research funds to researching metastasis. Instead, their primary focus is on prevention, which does nothing to help those already diagnosed, and early detection, which does not impact those facing the ultimate death sentence of stage 4 breast cancer. And while only 6% - 10% of initial breast cancer diagnoses are metastatic, 30% of patients diagnosed with earlier stage breast cancer will eventually develop stage 4 breast cancer and die.
This does not need to happen. Many metastasis researchers believe that metastatic breast cancer could become a chronic, rather than terminal, disease, if only there were more money to do the research necessary to develop effective treatments. As such, METAvivor has launched a nationwide effort to raise awareness about metastatic breast cancer, with a push to dedicate 30% of all breast cancer research funds toward the metastatic breast cancer that 30% of patients will ultimately face.
Breast cancer will affect 1 in 8 women, according to the American Cancer Society. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the U.S.
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is cancer that originated in the breasts and has spread to other parts of the body. It may be apparent at the time of initial breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, or it can occur months or years later as recurrent breast cancer.
The most common place for breast cancer to spread is to the bones. The liver and the lungs are other areas where breast cancer can metastasize.
100% of breast cancer deaths occur because of metastasis, and almost 100% of people whose breast cancer has metastasized will die from it. In the United States alone, this means that more than 40,000 vibrant lives are lost each year.
Despite these stark realities, the popular breast cancer fundraising movements give on average only 2-5% of their research funds to researching metastasis. Instead, their primary focus is on prevention, which does nothing to help those already diagnosed, and early detection, which does not impact those facing the ultimate death sentence of stage 4 breast cancer. And while only 6% - 10% of initial breast cancer diagnoses are metastatic, 30% of patients diagnosed with earlier stage breast cancer will eventually develop stage 4 breast cancer and die.
This does not need to happen. Many metastasis researchers believe that metastatic breast cancer could become a chronic, rather than terminal, disease, if only there were more money to do the research necessary to develop effective treatments. As such, METAvivor has launched a nationwide effort to raise awareness about metastatic breast cancer, with a push to dedicate 30% of all breast cancer research funds toward the metastatic breast cancer that 30% of patients will ultimately face.
Metavivor provides support from metavivor.org
A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer rocks the world of anyone who hears those words from their doctor. Access to support can make an enormous difference in the ability to cope, find comfort, and keep going.Below are resources to help those with MBC find understanding and camaraderie by making it possible to interact with others facing similar decisions, struggles and fears. Whether the goal is to find a support group, start a support group, grow a group into an advocacy organization, or just read the stories of others in the same situation, METAvivor can point you in the right direction.
A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer rocks the world of anyone who hears those words from their doctor. Access to support can make an enormous difference in the ability to cope, find comfort, and keep going.Below are resources to help those with MBC find understanding and camaraderie by making it possible to interact with others facing similar decisions, struggles and fears. Whether the goal is to find a support group, start a support group, grow a group into an advocacy organization, or just read the stories of others in the same situation, METAvivor can point you in the right direction.
A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer rocks the world of anyone who hears those words from their doctor. Access to support can make an enormous difference in the ability to cope, find comfort, and keep going. The resources on these pages can MBC patients find solace, understanding and camaraderie by connecting them with others facing similar decisions, struggles, and fears. Whether the goal is to find a support group, start a support group, or just read the stories of others in the same situation, METAvivor can point you in the right direction.
Are you looking for an in-person support group, but can't find one in your area? Starting your own group can be easy, and appreciated by other metastatic breast cancer patients. Compass, the precursor to METAvivor, started as a peer-to-peer support initiative in Annapolis, Maryland.
To help provide guidance to MBC patients who start their own support groups, METAvivor, with the support of an AVON Foundation MBC Grant, has launched a program called Peer To Peer: METAvivor Training Program For Support Group Leaders. The Peer to Peer support groups are run by MBC patients for MBC patients, and are based on the concept that patients with MBC gravitate toward each other for advice, comfort, sharing and friendship.
A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer rocks the world of anyone who hears those words from their doctor. Access to support can make an enormous difference in the ability to cope, find comfort, and keep going. The resources on these pages can MBC patients find solace, understanding and camaraderie by connecting them with others facing similar decisions, struggles, and fears. Whether the goal is to find a support group, start a support group, or just read the stories of others in the same situation, METAvivor can point you in the right direction.
Are you looking for an in-person support group, but can't find one in your area? Starting your own group can be easy, and appreciated by other metastatic breast cancer patients. Compass, the precursor to METAvivor, started as a peer-to-peer support initiative in Annapolis, Maryland.
To help provide guidance to MBC patients who start their own support groups, METAvivor, with the support of an AVON Foundation MBC Grant, has launched a program called Peer To Peer: METAvivor Training Program For Support Group Leaders. The Peer to Peer support groups are run by MBC patients for MBC patients, and are based on the concept that patients with MBC gravitate toward each other for advice, comfort, sharing and friendship.
Meeting others who share your illness can be an enormous source of support and validation of your own experience. Metastatic breast cancer support groups can be difficult to find, but they do exist, and social media has also expanded the options for online support.In addition, METAvivor’s Peer To Peer Support Group program has trained MBC patients to create and lead support groups.If we do not offer a support group in your area, read about other online, in-person, formal and informal support group options.
Learn more about living with metastatic breast cancer. MBC patients share their wisdom, fears, advice and encouragement through quotes and brief stories. In your own words, please consider submitting your own thoughts and experiences to share with others.
Click here for a comprehensive list of support offerings from Metavivor
Meeting others who share your illness can be an enormous source of support and validation of your own experience. Metastatic breast cancer support groups can be difficult to find, but they do exist, and social media has also expanded the options for online support.In addition, METAvivor’s Peer To Peer Support Group program has trained MBC patients to create and lead support groups.If we do not offer a support group in your area, read about other online, in-person, formal and informal support group options.
Learn more about living with metastatic breast cancer. MBC patients share their wisdom, fears, advice and encouragement through quotes and brief stories. In your own words, please consider submitting your own thoughts and experiences to share with others.
Click here for a comprehensive list of support offerings from Metavivor
