MBC is breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. After diagnosis, it’s a lifelong disease, and treatment can be an ongoing reality that doesn’t go away for most people with MBC.
Understanding your diagnosis can help you feel more confident facing the realities of what comes next. Part of that is learning the “type” of MBC and what your subtype means for treating and living with this cancer.
Nearly one in three women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will develop MBC. Some women will also be diagnosed with de novo MBC, meaning the cancer has already metastasized by the time the breast cancer is first detected. Processing this diagnosis can be difficult and is different for everyone, but understanding it can help you feel empowered when confronted with decisions and build confidence to advocate for your needs.
MBC is most commonly categorized based on certain receptors or proteins either present or not present on cancer cells. Knowing your status will help you and your healthcare team identify treatment options.
There are four main subtypes, determined by the presence of hormone receptors (HR), such as receptors for the hormones estrogen (ER) and/or progesterone (PR), and HER2 receptors (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, a protein involved in cell growth).
Cancer cells that test positive for hormone receptors (ER+ and/or PR+) and negative for HER2 proteins. HR+/HER2- is the most common subtype of breast cancer. Within the HER2-negative subtype, it is possible to have lower levels of HER2, which is termed HER2-low.
Cancer cells that test positive for HER2 proteins and negative for both hormone receptors.
This type of breast cancer tests positive for one or both hormone receptors and HER2 proteins.
Cancer cells that test negative for both hormone receptors and have little to no HER2 proteins. This subtype is referred to as triple-negative breast cancer.
MBC cannot be cured, but it can be treated. The goal of MBC treatment is to shrink or weaken the cancer, manage symptoms and keep the cancer from growing and spreading.
MBC is most often treated with systemic therapies that deliver treatment throughout the body. Depending on the cancer subtype, these may include hormone therapy (also called endocrine-based therapies), chemotherapy and targeted therapies (including antibody-drug conjugates).
Research continues to change how the disease can be treated. It’s important to talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
While everyone’s experience with MBC treatment is different, there are several general categories of treatment options for people with different types of MBC.
Chemotherapy (sometimes called chemo) is a type of treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
Hormone therapies work by interfering with the activity of estrogen and/or progesterone hormones, which some cancer cells can use to grow.
Hormone therapies may
- Slow or stop the body’s production of estrogen and/or progesterone hormones
- Interfere with the way hormone receptors work
Antibody-drug conjugates, or ADCs, are a type of targeted cancer treatment designed to deliver medicines more directly to cancer cells, while limiting the impact to healthy cells.
ADCs are made up of an antibody attached to an anticancer medicine. The antibody looks for and can also attach to specific proteins that are found on certain types of cells, including some cancer cells. Once the ADC attaches to the cell, it is brought into the cell where it releases the anticancer medicine. Learn more about ADCs at Expose-MBC.com/ADC.
Targeted therapies are medicines that target the proteins cancer cells use to grow.
These targeted therapies work to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth.
Immunotherapy may help the immune system recognize, target, and destroy cancer cells.
In some cases, immunotherapy may be given with chemotherapy.
Sometimes, surgery can also be an option for MBC.
You may have the option of removing the cancer from your breast or other areas of the body where the cancer may have spread to.
New treatments are always being developed and studied. In a clinical trial, these new treatments are often tested to see if they work well or not, how safe they may be, and what the potential side effects are.
Depending on the type of MBC you have and the treatments you have tried in the past, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Talk to your oncologist and let them know if you’re interested in participating. You can also search for clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov.
Financial, logistical and emotional hurdles can be part of your life with MBC. You might feel isolated or fearful around new scans. You might feel left out of the support systems focused on remission. These are normal feelings to have, and it’s OK to experience and acknowledge them.
It might feel impossible to think about emotional and mental health while you’re already dealing with so much, but it’s important, too. Some people may find it uncomfortable to discuss these challenges openly. But by sharing your experiences and learning what you can about the disease, you may find comfort and community.
Nearly one in three women with MBC exhibit signs of depressive disorder. This disease can contribute to feelings of loss of control over your life, concerns over how your body has changed and fear of a scan that may show disease progression (also known as “scanxiety”). If you are experiencing depression or anxiety, advocacy groups can help connect you to resources.
Living with MBC can be overwhelming, and each circumstance is unique. If you are searching for others living with MBC who can understand your challenges, these stories may resonate.
MBC doesn’t just affect the person living with it: it impacts the entire family. Access a children’s book and more to help navigate MBC as a family.
Beyond complex feelings and the stress of everyday life, it can feel like added pressure to study treatment options, track questions for a doctor and get a second opinion. There are resources that can help ease conversations with your care team.
