There are two types of breast cancer. Localized means it is contained within the breast tissue, and regional refers to any spread outside the breast to other body parts. This article will discuss the two most common forms of metastatic breast cancer and what can be done to treat it. I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer last year and would like to share my experience with you. After being diagnosed, I went through some major lifestyle changes, and I am here to share what worked and what didn’t work for me.
My name is Rachael, and I am a breast cancer survivor. In the summer of 2015, I was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer. As you may know, there are many different treatments for breast cancer, and I wanted to share with you what worked and what did not for me. I hope my experience will help you make decisions when faced with the same diagnosis. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for 30% of all new cancers diagnosed in women each year.
Although treatment options for breast cancer have greatly improved, many women still face a bleak prognosis. In the US alone, nearly 40,000 women die yearly from breast cancer. Unfortunately, many women are unaware that this disease has a high risk of metastasis, meaning that it has spread throughout the body, making treatment difficult. For this reason, treatment options can be limited. However, recent scientific developments have led to significant breakthroughs in treating breast cancer, offering new hope to many women with the disease.
What is metastatic breast cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer means that the cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. This usually happens when cancer cells apply to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bones, brain, or other organs. When metastatic breast cancer is found, it is most often treatable. Some women undergo chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, or other treatments. Different types of surgeries and procedures can be performed depending on the type of cancer and its location.
What are the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer?
I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer last year and would like to share my experience with you. After being diagnosed, I went through some major lifestyle changes, and I am here to share what worked and what didn’t work for me. My diagnosis came as a shock. I’m a healthy young woman who has never experienced any health problems, let alone cancer. As a result of my diagnosis, I decided to change my lifestyle, and I have been very happy with the results so far. I hope my story will help you and other women in your position. I know that when I was diagnosed, it was a shock for me, too. I felt like I’d just won the lottery. You feel a sense of urgency when you are diagnosed with breast cancer. You don’t want to lose your hair, weight, energy, and ability to enjoy life. You also don’t want to lose your sense of humor. Just before my surgery, I remember telling everyone I would keep my sense of humor. However, you have to face the fact that you are sick and will have to do some pretty drastic things to be well again. You have to change your lifestyle, and you have to change it now.
How to diagnose metastatic breast cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer is a very serious disease. It is when a tumor has spread to distant organs from where it started. The most common sites of metastasis are bone, lung, liver, brain, and skin. In my case, the tumors in my lungs were so extensive that I could not breathe. I was told that if I did not undergo chemotherapy, I might not live more than a few months. I had no choice but to go through the chemo, and the treatment worked. I got better, but it took quite a while.
I spent almost a year recovering from the cancer treatments, and when I was finally feeling better, I decided to try something different. I wanted to treat the symptoms rather than just the disease. That’s why I decided to start doing yoga. It was hard initially, but I was determined to see this through. Yoga gave me energy, and it helped me stay strong. I even joined a local yoga group and started attending classes regularly. I slowly became calmer and more at peace with my situation.
Treatment options for metastatic breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. About 270,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed yearly, with 200,000 deaths. It’s estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Most women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice because it works against cancer cells and has side effects that may be less harmful than other treatments. I was fortunate enough to be able to receive treatment that was very effective in treating my cancer. I want to share my experience with you.
Why You Should Be Concerned About Metastatic Breast Cancer?
In the United States alone, almost 250,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer yearly. According to the National Cancer Institute, this figure is expected to rise to nearly 300,000 by the end of 2020. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. As you know, breast cancer is more than just a disease; it is a crisis for every woman diagnosed. It is a crisis for the family, the friends, and the caregivers. It is a crisis for the loved ones and the medical professionals. After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, I shared my experience, hoping it would help others.
Frequently asked questions about Metastatic Breast Cancer.
Q: When did you find out you had metastatic breast cancer?
A: I found out I had breast cancer in December 2005. I had a mammogram at my regular doctor’s office in December 2006, and they found it. I had surgery in December 2007.
Q: How long after finding out you had breast cancer were you diagnosed with metastatic disease?
A: My doctors told me I had stage four cancer. I had surgery in 2007 and then radiation therapy and chemotherapy in 2008.
Q: What type of breast cancer did you have?
A: I had Stage 4 metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive types. It spread throughout my body.
Myths about Metastatic Breast Cancer
1. There is no cure for breast cancer.
2. The only treatment is surgery and radiation.
3. All types of chemotherapy are equally effective in treating breast cancer.
4. Chemotherapy kills the patient rather than the cancer.
Conclusion
I believe that Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) is a very real illness. The only reason it’s been treated like an afterthought is its rarity. However, once people learn about it and discover it’s treatable, they should consider treatment options. The truth is many patients have had success with these treatments. Even if you don’t fall into this category, it’s never too late to learn about it.
