Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
Supporting you in making informed decisions about your treatment
.
Nina’s story
A Metastatic Breast Cancer Journey
"I felt like my world had crashed. All I knew was that I needed help urgently. And with the help of my doctor and relevant information from a few books and periodicals, I made my decision.
I began my treatment journey. It's been two years and I am still going strong!"
Nina’s story
A primary school teacher in a small rural town in Perak known as Papan, Nina is mother to four children. At the age of 40, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
“I felt like my world had completely crashed. I felt lost, confused and mostly angry. What will happen to me, my family, and my job?” Nina asked.
With so many questions unanswered, Nina knew that she needed support and advice. So, with the help of her doctor, Nina began treatment. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. It has been two years since her diagnosis and Nina is currently in remission.
“I am still going strong. I am grateful that the surgery went well and I have a lovely doctor who takes time to explain things to me and helps me understand what I am facing. I know I made the right decision to get treatment,” Nina shared.
“I felt like my world had completely crashed. I felt lost, confused and mostly angry. What will happen to me, my family, and my job?” Nina asked.
With so many questions unanswered, Nina knew that she needed support and advice. So, with the help of her doctor, Nina began treatment. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. It has been two years since her diagnosis and Nina is currently in remission.
“I am still going strong. I am grateful that the surgery went well and I have a lovely doctor who takes time to explain things to me and helps me understand what I am facing. I know I made the right decision to get treatment,” Nina shared.
This Is an Alert
*The patient stories featured on this website are created for educational purposes and are inspired by common experiences faced by breast cancer patients. These stories are meant to help others better understand the challenges, decisions, and emotions that individuals affected by breast cancer may go through. To protect privacy, any identifying details have been removed or changed. The medical conditions, treatments, and outcomes described are generalized and should not be considered medical advice. For guidance tailored to your personal health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
How Do You Feel?
Nina’s case is not unique. When faced with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, it is natural to experience many emotions.
It is completely normal to feel these different emotions. Give yourself time to process your diagnosis and seek additional information if required.
It is completely normal to feel these different emotions. Give yourself time to process your diagnosis and seek additional information if required.
Navigating Your Way Forward
Newly Diagnosed
It’s okay to have questions.
Why did I get breast cancer?
What exactly is breast cancer?
Am I going to die?
How long will I live for?
Do I have to go for surgery?
Are there other ways of treating breast cancer besides surgery?
Do I need to undergo chemotherapy?
Can I try traditional and complementary therapy?
How is my family (including my husband) going to take this news?
Will my children get breast cancer too?
1 in 20
What Is Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer Is …
the most common cancer among women in Malaysia and around the world. Did you know that 1 in 20 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime?
How Does Metastatic Breast Cancer Develop?
The cancer, which begins in the breast, can spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer that develops in another part of the body is referred to as metastatic breast cancer. It may also be referred to as a cancer recurrence.
Among these breast cancer
patients, 1 in 5 present at
metastatic breast cancer.
Where Can Breast Cancer Spread?
Signs and Symptoms
If cancer spreads:
- To the lungs, you may experience shortness of breath.
- To the liver, you may notice yellowing in your skin tone.
- To the brain, you may experience a persistent headache or changes in vision or speech, along with symptoms like vomiting or difficulty walking.
- To the lymph nodes, you may find one arm swollen or discover a lump in your armpit.
Remember That Cancer Is Not Your Fault.
Several factors can put you at risk of developing breast cancer. This includes:
- Genetic Makeup: Having close relatives (like your mother, sister, aunt) who have breast, ovarian or other cancers.
- Lifestyle Choices: Putting on weight (particularly after menopause), being overweight or obese, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to high-dose radiation such as radiotherapy.
There are several factors that can lower your risk of getting breast cancer, such as:
- Reproductive Choices: Having children or having children at a younger age, breastfeeding your children.
- Lifestyle Choices: Exercising regularly
It is important to understand that there is often no specific cause that can be found.
The Types of Breast Cancer
There are different types of breast cancer and treatment may vary for each type. To determine the specific type of cancer, your doctor may order tests that look for the presence of proteins (called receptors).
Subtypes of Cancer and Why It’s Relevant
Women produce oestrogen and progesterone hormones during their menstrual cycle. In certain breast cancers, cancer cells generate more hormone receptors, which can cause the cancer to grow quickly.
Tests can determine if you have ER-positive hormones (oestrogen receptors) or PR-positive hormones (progesterone receptors). If either is found, the breast cancer is classified as hormone receptor-positive.
In some cases, more of the HER2 receptor is produced, leading to HER2 receptor-positive breast cancer.
When cancer cells do not produce hormones or the HER2 receptors, it is classified as triple-negative breast cancer.
Tests can determine if you have ER-positive hormones (oestrogen receptors) or PR-positive hormones (progesterone receptors). If either is found, the breast cancer is classified as hormone receptor-positive.
In some cases, more of the HER2 receptor is produced, leading to HER2 receptor-positive breast cancer.
When cancer cells do not produce hormones or the HER2 receptors, it is classified as triple-negative breast cancer.
When Do Women Usually Discover That They Have Breast Cancer?
When discovering a lump in the breast
At a mammogram screening
When there is discharge from the nipple
What Happens to Those Who Have Breast Cancer?
Most breast cancer will double in size over 3 to 6 months. If left untreated, breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body but with the right treatment, this progression can be prevented.
Without treatment, most women may live for another 2 to 3 years. However, with the right treatment, 9 out of 10 women can survive for over 10 years.
It is important to know that alternative treatment, also known as complementary therapies, may not be effective and their success can vary depending on the specific treatment provided.
Without treatment, most women may live for another 2 to 3 years. However, with the right treatment, 9 out of 10 women can survive for over 10 years.
It is important to know that alternative treatment, also known as complementary therapies, may not be effective and their success can vary depending on the specific treatment provided.
Breast Cancer Is Usually Painless.
As such, it is important for you to do your regular screenings.
Should You Leave The Cancer Untreated?
If you have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, this means that the cancer has advanced to Stage 4.
The 5 Stages of Breast Cancer
Stage 0 | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-Invasive | Early | Early | Advanced | Advanced |
As survival rates are higher in the early stages of breast cancer, early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
What’s The Prognosis for Metastatic Breast Cancer?
From 1997 to 2007,
2 in 20 breast cancer
patients survive at
least 5 years.
From 2007 to 2016,
5 in 20 breast cancer
patients survive at
least 5 years.
The prognosis, or prediction, varies based on factors such as age, general health, the extent of the disease’s spread, the type of breast cancer and treatment options selected.
The good news: there are many active treatments available along with improved pain medication to manage the side effects of cancer and its treatments.
The good news: there are many active treatments available along with improved pain medication to manage the side effects of cancer and its treatments.
