Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer

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Metastatic breast cancer as a recurrence

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No matter how long it’s been since you had breast cancer, finding out that the cancer has metastasized, or spread, may bring feelings of shock, disbelief, anger, betrayal, and sadness. You may also feel guilty, or believe you or your doctors could have done something differently to prevent the cancer’s return.

You are not alone. Researchers believe that up to 30 percent of people first diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will develop metastatic disease.

Mainstream media tend to focus on stories of survivorship, and to praise people who appear to have “fought their battle” with breast cancer, heroically and successfully. The lack of public awareness of metastatic breast cancer can leave you feeling isolated, misunderstood, and unsupported.

How did this happen?

Even with the best treatments for a primary breast cancer, it’s possible for the cancer to return later. There was always a chance some cancer cells would survive and cause metastases someday, even if that chance was very small.

Regular tests or noticing symptoms might have helped you and your doctors find the metastasis earlier, but research shows that finding metastatic breast cancer early does not change the outcome. You are not to blame.

It’s normal to feel that you’ve lost trust in your doctors or treatments, or to be angry with your medical team or yourself. As you learn more about your diagnosis and your treatment options, these feelings may fade. Don’t rush yourself—allow time to make sense of the news and to feel your feelings.

 

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About LBBC

Reviewed and updated: August 31, 2015

Reviewed by: David Euhus, MD , Betty Ferrell, PhD, MA, FAAN, FPCN , William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP , Roz Kleban, LCSW , Marie Lavigne, LCSW, OSW-C , Kathy D. Miller, MD , Evelyn Robles-Rodriguez, DNP, APN, AOCN , Danny Welch, PhD

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.