Metastatic breast cancer, also known as advanced stage or stage IV breast cancer, affects thousands of families across Tennessee. This stage of breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, liver and brain.
Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed Oct. 13 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Action Day in Tennessee to bring attention to this deadly disease and the impact it has statewide.
“Statistics show that one in eight women could be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, and in Tennessee, at least 5,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year,” Emily Ogden, Tennessee government relations director with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said.
“Over 900 Tennessee women will die of breast cancer, nearly all due to metastatic breast cancer, and over 154,000 women across the country are dealing with the disease.
“We encourage Tennesseans with metastatic breast cancer to talk to their doctor about treatment options as well as local support groups and services. It is important that people are not only aware of this disease but take action.”
Survival times vary greatly from person to person but the median survival after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer is approximately three years.
Metastatic breast cancer frequently involves trying multiple treatments and patients usually fluctuate in and out of remission.
There is currently no cure for metastatic breast cancer, however, treatment advances have been made in addressing specific types of metastatic breast cancer, and extensive research efforts are underway to address this unmet need more generally.
Patients, family members and the public can find information about current clinical research studies at https://ClinicalTrials.gov, a searchable database.
The proclamation for Metastatic Breast Cancer Action Day can be found at https://tnsos.net/publications/proclamations/files/1808.pdf