Everything you need to know about metastatic breast cancer, with nurse Catherine Priestley
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Breast Cancer Now nurse Catherine joins Laura to discuss metastatic, or secondary, breast cancer. They talk about how breast cancer spreads, possible signs and symptoms, treatments, progression, scanxiety, clinical trials and emotional support.
What is metastatic breast cancer? How does it spread? What happens after diagnosis?
In this episode, Breast Cancer Now nurse Catherine Priestley joins Laura for an informative chat about metastatic, or secondary, breast cancer. They discuss the signs and symptoms to look out for, and explain how and where it can spread around the body.
Laura shares her own experience of a incurable breast cancer, including scan anxiety and the ways she's learned to live with it. She discusses with Catherine the importance of peer support and holding on to hope while living with uncertainty.
They also explain how Breast Cancer Now’s nurses and support services can help people living with metastatic breast cancer, as well as their friends and families.
Read more information about metastatic breast cancer.
You can call the Breast Cancer Now helpline on 0808 800 6000.
Ask our nurses a question.
Talk to someone like you.
Find group support for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Support for parents with cancer from Fruitfly Collective.
Listen to Caroline Leek on parenting with cancer.
Listen to Caroline Leek on talking with children about death and grief.
Support for people with metastatic cancer from Make 2nds Count.
Listen to Claire from Make 2nds Count.
You can also watch this episode on YouTube.
Key topics:
2:16 What is metastatic breast cancer?
3:13 How does breast cancer spread to other parts of the body?
6:16 What does 'terminal' mean?
8:02 What does 'de novo' mean?
11:05 The signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer
21:54 How to get any concerns you have checked out
24:58 I've been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. What now?
27:39 Finding hope with a metastatic cancer diagnosis
29:06 Coping with the emotional impact of a metastatic diagnosis
38:03 How long am I going to live?
42:39 Planning your life with metastatic breast cancer
44:20 Treatments for metastatic breast cancer
44:55 Treatment for ER+ metastatic breast cancer
47:03 Treatment for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer
48:08 Treatment for triple negative metastatic breast cancer
49:16 What is disease progression?
50:13 Coping with scanxiety, the worry before a scan
53:57 Clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer
58:00 What happens when treatment options run out?
1:01:44 Financial support
1:03:59 Further support for anyone affected by metastatic breast cancer