It is normal for anyone to feel a great deal of fear and shock when the doctor tells them that they have breast cancer. However, that fear increases even more when they learn that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, meaning it is 'advanced'. Doctors also call this `(metastatic)` or `(stage IV)`. So today we are talking about this serious condition, or ' advanced breast cancer '. Don't panic when you hear this. The most important thing is to understand this condition properly. Although it cannot be completely cured, there are new treatments that can help you control the cancer and live longer and better.
How does breast cancer spread throughout the body?
It's very simple. Think of it this way: Cancer is a disease that divides cells out of control. Some of these cancer cells break off from the breast and travel through the blood vessels and lymph system in our body. It's like small things in a river. The cancer cells that travel this way can go to other parts of the body, especially the bones, lungs, liver, or brain, and start growing there. Even if it's in a different organ, it's still breast cancer cells. That's why doctors treat it with the same drugs that are used for breast cancer.
What symptoms might you experience in this situation?
Some people may not have any symptoms at all, but many people will experience some discomfort. The symptoms you experience will depend on where the cancer cells have spread.
The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about any new pain or discomfort you feel. There are many treatments available to help manage these symptoms.
Let's explain this further in the table below.
| Where the cancer has spread | Common symptoms that may occur |
|---|---|
| Bones | Body pain, especially bone pain, bones become weak and break easily (fractures). |
| Lungs | Frequent coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Liver | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, bloating, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), nausea. |
| Brain | Frequent headaches, vision changes, seizures, difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness on one side of the body. |
What are the treatments for this?
When the cancer is confined to the breast, the main treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. But when the cancer has spread throughout the body, systemic treatments are the main treatment. These travel through your bloodstream and attack cancer cells throughout your body.
There are several main treatment methods :
- Hormone Therapy: Hormones help some types of breast cancer grow. This treatment works by blocking the action of those hormones.
- Chemotherapy: This works by killing rapidly dividing cancer cells. This can shrink tumors quickly, but it has a few more side effects.
- Targeted Therapy : This involves attacking a specific weakness in cancer cells, thus causing less damage to healthy cells.
- Immunotherapy: This involves stimulating your body's own immune system to fight cancer cells.
Your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you. Treatments may need to be changed over time.
Things that will help you stay strong on this journey
Living with an illness like this can be challenging , both physically and mentally. But there are many things you can do to make the journey easier.
Control the pain.
If you have pain, don't think, "This is just how it is, I have to live with it." Most of the time, pain can be managed. If you are in pain, talk to your doctor about it. You may need to change your medication, or you may need to see a pain doctor.
Stay connected with others.
Don't be alone at this time. Talk to your family and close friends about your feelings. Also, there are support groups where others who have had similar experiences can help you feel more empowered. You can ask your doctor how to find such groups.
Take care of your mental health.
With a serious illness like this, you can experience a lot of emotions. It's normal to feel anger, sadness, guilt, and depression . You can also feel hopeful at times. None of these feelings are 'right' or 'wrong.' Allow yourself to feel them. If you feel like you need help, talk to your doctor or loved ones. Getting mental health counseling and talking to others can help you feel less alone.
Find out about clinical trials
These are clinical trials, which are research studies to find new treatments. Depending on your type of cancer and your health, you may be eligible to participate in one of these trials. Talk to your doctor about this.
Learn about Palliative Care
This is a common misconception. Palliative care is a type of care that is given to people who have a serious illness. It is designed to improve your quality of life, control pain, make you more comfortable, and help you understand your treatment options. This service can begin as early as the day you are diagnosed. Hospice care is a subset of palliative care. It is given to people who have been told by doctors that they have less than 6 months to live.
Take-Home Message
- 'Advanced breast cancer' means that breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Although it cannot be completely cured, there are now very effective treatments that can prolong life and improve quality of life.
- Symptoms like pain and shortness of breath can be managed, so be sure to talk to your doctor about any new discomfort.
- Emotional support is very important during this journey. Connect with family, friends, and support groups. Don't try to carry this burden alone.
- Palliative care is not just for the end of life. It can be used to make your life easier from the day of diagnosis.
- If you or someone you know is affected by this condition, don't give up hope. Medical science is advancing every day, so always talk to your doctor and stay informed about the latest treatments.
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