Living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as stage 4 breast cancer, can be isolating. While other people with breast cancer may be more focused on treating and eventually (hopefully) curing the disease, people with metastatic breast cancer have different goals and needs.
However, it is important to know that you are not alone. There are many people who want to support you, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. The following resources emphasize MBC education and advocacy and offer a community that can help you navigate cancer care and life with metastatic breast cancer.
Alliance Against Metastatic Breast Cancer
He Alliance Against Metastatic Breast Cancer strives to serve people with MBC by extending and improving their lives. The organization works to achieve this goal by advocating for more research on MBC, improving awareness and access to clinical trials, and educating communities about the disease and available resources.
The organization champions projects such as the Marina Kaplan Project, which aims to accelerate research into brain metastasis from breast cancer. The Alliance also hosts educational webinars, such as Black Wo(men) Speak, which promotes member voices focused on serving Black communities. You can read more about the organization’s many others. projects on their website.
MBC Alliance also offers guidance on how to find the appropriate care equipment and decide on correct treatment plan for you. Additionally, you can find powerful personal stories and stay up to date on the latest MBC news and investigations about your blog.
METAviviente
METAviviente focuses solely on supporting people with metastatic breast cancer. The organization offers information and support to those newly diagnosed with MBC, including advice on how to talk to friends and family about the diagnosis, as well as how to cope with the news yourself.
METAvivor also celebrates in person peer support groups all over the country. You can even apply to lead your own support group if there isn’t one in your area. METAvivor is the only organization in the country that exclusively funds metastatic breast cancer research, according to its website, and hosts several fundraising events throughout the year for this purpose, such as the annual Stage IV Stampede in Washington, DC.
You can keep up with all of these events on the website, as well as reading personal stories from people living with the disease, with topics ranging from diagnosis to opening up to friends and family about the disease.
Living beyond breast cancer
Living beyond breast cancer is a nonprofit group that provides a support community for people with any type of breast cancer. On their website, you can read about the basics, types, symptoms, and treatment options of metastatic breast cancer.
If you need personalized guidance or just someone to listen to you, you can call the organization’s customer service. Breast Cancer Helpline at 888-753-5222 and you will be assigned a trained volunteer who has also been diagnosed with breast cancer and knows what you are going through. Or you can join one of the private ones support groups On Facebook.
On the website, you can find and register for upcoming eventsincluding the annual Thriving Together conference, which you can choose to attend virtually, and the Butterfly Ball, a fundraising event created to honor and celebrate people living with breast cancer. Previous events included a pickleball fundraiser and a masquerade ball.
He blog features multiple stories from breast cancer survivors, which you can filter based on cancer stage, type, treatment, and more. You can also consult the news section to discover interesting advances in research and new treatments available.
SHARE Support against cancer
SHARE Support against cancer is an organization created for people diagnosed with breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer, as well as gynecological cancers. Offer MBC-centric approach support groups that meet virtually several times a month, as well as various educational programs and webinars covering topics from managing “chemo brain” to exercising with MBC.
If you have questions or just want to talk to someone, you can access the Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Line by calling 844-ASK-SHARE (844-275-7427) and pressing 6. There, you will automatically be connected with a peer who shares your diagnosis and experience. You can also join SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer online forumwhere volunteers and other people with the disease gather to share information and stories.
Additionally, on SHARE’s website, you can listen to episodes of the organization’s podcast, Our life MBCcovering traveling with MBC, the importance of gratitude amid a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, heartwarming stories from those who lost a loved one to the disease, and more.
Young Survival Coalition
He Young Survival CoalitionFounded in 1998 by a group of young women diagnosed with breast cancer, it offers a wealth of information about metastatic breast cancer, including up-to-date statistics, guidance on finding clinical trials near you, and a breakdown of common terms used when discussing MBC. On the organization’s site, you can access “Metastatic Navigator”, a free guide to all things MBC, covering topics ranging from diagnosis and treatment to living with the disease.
The organization offers peer-to-peer matching support, which matches adolescents and young adults with breast cancer with young cancer survivors who have had a similar experience. You can also connect with other people living with this diagnosis online or in person by joining one of the MBC Virtual Hangouts or participate in a face to face support group near you.
cancer care
cancer care Provides free support services to anyone with cancer, including metastatic breast cancer. The organization offers financial assistance to help pay for medical costs, transportation and child care.
They also have counseling provided by oncology social workers to help you care for your mental health from diagnosis to treatment. CancerCare is free telephone resource navigation is designed to guide you through the cancer treatment process and alleviate some of the anxiety-provoking guesswork that can come with a MBC diagnosis. Counseling and telephone services are available in both English and Spanish.
Through CancerCare, you can join others who are receiving active treatment for MBC in either of two support groups focused on fostering a community for people with this particular disease. Both groups are led by an oncology social worker and encourage members to share their personal experiences, tips for living with the disease, and recommended resources.
For more information about MBC, you can check out the CancerCare website. Connect Education Workshopsthat you can filter by diagnosis. They cover topics such as advances in treatment, how to manage treatment side effects, and quality of life for those living with metastatic breast cancer.
You can also read an extensive library of publications offering information on everything from questions to ask your doctor to understanding treatment options.
