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The Long Middle - Does the idea of “the long middle” reflect your experience?
Check out this article and let's discuss. I have stage four cancer – there will be no cure, but death isn’t necessarily imminent: this is how it feels to live in the long middle | Death and dying | The Guardian The author describes living with stage 4 cancer as being in “the long middle”, a space where there is not a cure,…
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Zoom Meet-up for Those With MBC: Place to keep chatting
This is a space held for our Zoom Meetup members to gather in between meetings for updates and support. Join our Virtual Meet-ups! For those with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer (MBC; also called stage IV) Register: Mondays at 2:00 PM EST, Tuesdays at 1:00 PM EST, and Wednesdays at 4:00 PM EST Young (45 and under)…
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Very ill newbie asks about long term use of perjeta
Hi, first I'm very sorry that these things might have been adressed already, but I am very ill with ME and after had perjeta/herceptin treatment for more than 9 years now, my body and brain feels like it is breaking down and I have a hard time thinking, searching for info etc. I'm bed bound from ME, and have been so prior…
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De Novo Stage IV
I'm wondering if there is a topic just for de novo Stage IV. I'd like to know how people found out. Did you have symptoms that led you to the doctor for an answer? Was it found out of the blue when you had another issue and how was it found? Are there others like me who have never shown it in your breast but only where it…
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How Will Health Insurance Changes Affect People With Metastatic Breast Cancer?
How Will Health Insurance Changes Affect People With Metastatic Breast Cancer? February 3, 2026 Triage Cancer CEO Joanna Doran answers questions about Medicare, Medicaid, and metastatic breast cancer. Float RightMediumAccessibilityDelete The changes to federal- and state-run health insurance programs can be confusing,…
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Stage 1a to Stage 4 in 6 years. 39 yo. Mets to liver & bone. Chek2+
Hi everyone, my first dx was in 2018 (age 32) after self discovery. I had a Bi-lat mastectomy and had been on tamoxifen. Oncotype 11 so no chemo recommended. ER+/PR+. Chek2 positive. Feeling great with no symptoms, I did a Galleri test this October 2024, which came back with positive breast signal. CT scan w contrast…
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Multiple skeletal Mets Strongly ER positive BC originally now showing as TNBC
originally diagnosed IDC grade 2 , stage 3A HR+ with Allred score 8/8 and HER2- at the age of 46, 10 years back . Surgery, chemo and radiation therapy done as part of treatment followed by 5 years of tamoxifen followed by 5 years of letrozole and Zolenic acid. Now got bone pain few months back. When done pet scan and MRI…
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Proton Therapy Better Than Traditional Radiation for Leptomeningeal Disease
Proton Therapy Better Than Traditional Radiation for Leptomeningeal Disease Jan 6, 2026 When treating breast cancer that’s spread to the cerebrospinal fluid, proton therapy controlled the cancer better than traditional X-ray radiation. Read more…
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Adding Tukysa to First Treatments Delays Growth of Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Adding Tukysa to First Treatments Delays Growth of Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Dec 22, 2025 Delaying cancer growth may keep people out of the chemo chair. Read more…
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Podcast: The Guy With Stage 4 Breast Cancer
The Guy With Stage 4 Breast Cancer December 2, 2025 Male breast cancer makes up about 1% of all breast cancer cases. The numbers are small, but it does happen. Jake Messier is living with metastatic breast cancer after first being diagnosed with stage II disease in 2023. Jake has very active Tik Tok and Instagram accounts…
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Clinical Trial Opportunity: Metastatic TNBC with EGFR expression and have lost HLA-A*02 expression
A2 Biotherapeutics is looking to recruit people with metastatic TNBC to a study on a CAR T therapy. The mTNBC must have EGFR expression and have lost HLA-A*02 expression. If you meet this criteria and would like to participate in this trial, you can email the study contact at: ClinicalTrials@a2bio .com Or, directly email…
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Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Mebendazole, Methylene blue for Breast Cancer
I’m curious if anyone here has tried any of these. I’ve read some success stories but would love to hear firsthand experiences. It seems like the medical community has been hesitant to share much information about how these options might benefit people with cancer, whether it’s breast, colon, or other types.…
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Studies that prove early detection of stage IV recurrence extending survival time?
Can you please point me to any studies that show that early detection of metastatic stage IV breast cancer results in longer survival ? If this matters, I'm talking about ER+. HER2-. I know that it's a common opinion that early detection of such recurrence does not result in longer life, but are there any studies that…
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2017 BC Diagnosis…how are you doing?
Hello Friends:💐 It’s been awhile since I’ve checked in. I’m curious how my 2017 friends are doing. Have you had a recurrence? Is all going well? I’d love to know how everyone from 2017 is doing. I’m doing well. This site has been a huge support to me and I just want to thank you all again for your support. I look forward…
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Any studies that prove early detection of stage IV recurrence extending survival time?
Dear All, Can you please point me to any studies that show that early detection of metastatic stage IV breast cancer results in longer survival ? If this matters, I'm talking about ER+. HER2-. I know that the standard of care dictates that early detection of such recurrence does not result in longer life, but are there any…
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Help progressed to Brain Mets and fighting for the right treatment
Hi All, Been lurking on the stage 4 forum for some time. Now I need help. I live in the UK and attend UCLH where treatment seems to adopt a more cautious approach. Originally on Breast 09 trial but randomised and receive standard of care😢 6 rounds Doxetaxel and H & P. Over 2 years later and progression to Brain Mets. Upper…
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Likely to be diagnosed with bone mets and need some advice in the interim
Nearly 14 years after my initial diagnosis, I'm back at the rodeo. My tumor markers are up, and some pain in my leg that I thought was due to gait issues or sciatica is likely bone pain. I saw my MO today, and she said that the description of the pain is consistent with bone mets. Tomorrow, I will get called about when my…
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I was just now dx with skin mets
Hi, I've not had good news since forever—since suspected recurrence in August 2023 anyway, looks like I won't be getting any either. I had some red raised places — not bumps, not nodules, that would get red, then go away, etc. that appeared Nov. 23, the same month I was dx with St. IV. PET scan didn't show this. CTs-four…
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Just diagnosed with ILC mets
Hi, all I had ILC back in 2008. Had radical mastectomy on the right breast and prophylactic on the left. Chemo AC→T, radiation and 7 years of Arimidex. 16 years later I am back in the game. Still in discovery phase. Had FDG Pet Scan that shows liver uptake, had endoscopy that shows little spot in the stomach consistent…
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Dealing with Lymphedema w/o surgery?
Hi community. I'm posting since I haven't found a similar case yet. I opted out on surgery and chemo (too late), and it's been a good run for 7 years. The LE came on slowly to rt arm, dr diagnosed. Now its in both feet, then the left breast just swelled in size. No real noticeable discoloration. Has anyone else had LE…
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Wife is starting Xeloda soon
Hi all, My wife was diagnosed with mBC in 2023. She has been through 4-ish lines of treatment, the latest Enhertu. She has felt great with no side effects but it has stopped working after a year. This is next and I’m terrified of the side effects and what living with them will be like for us and our relationship. Can…
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Wife starting Xeloda
Hi. Hope it’s okay to post as a family member/caregiver. We found out yesterday that there has been new tumor growth in my wife’s bones. Very lucky that mets are confined there. Have been reading about Xeloda side effects and now I’m scared. She’s been on Enhertu for a year and had no side effects so this feels like a…
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Now Enrolling: Cognitive Outcomes & Partner Engagement in Metastatic Breast Cancer Study
Enrollment for Cognitive Outcomes & Partner Engagement in Metastatic Breast Cancer Study at the University of Texas at Austin has started. Through this remote study, we hope to understand how individuals living with metastatic breast cancer, along with their partners, deal with cognitive symptoms during their everyday…
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Enhertu Plus Perjeta: New First-Line Treatment for Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer?
Enhertu Plus Perjeta: New First-Line Treatment for Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer? Jun 1, 2025 The combination offered better outcomes than the THP chemo regimen. Read more…
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Feeling like an Imposter
Six years ago, at age 46, I was diagnosed with Stage 1B mixed mammary carcinoma, ER+/PR+, HER2- in one breast. I had one surgery - double mastectomy plus bilateral salping-oophorectomy direct to reconstruction. I have a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. I did not need radiation and my Oncotype score of 18…
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Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025
Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025 Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky explains DESTINY-Breast09, ASCENT-04, and SERENA-6. Jun 2, 2025 The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified…
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The Research METAvivor Funds
The Research METAvivor Funds METAvivor President Dr. Kelly Shanahan discusses the research the organization supports. May 16, 2025 By 2030, researchers estimate that about 246,000 people will be living with metastatic breast cancer. METAvivor is the first organization dedicated to raising awareness of, and funding research…
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Testing for ESR1 Mutations, Then Switching to Camizestrant Improves Outcomes for HR+ HER2- MBC
Testing for ESR1 Mutations, Then Switching to Camizestrant Improves Outcomes for Metastatic HR+ HER2- Breast Cancer May 31, 2025 After two years of follow-up, the new treatment improved survival and quality of life. Read more…
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New Hormonal Therapy Vepdegestrant Promising for Some Metastatic HR+ Breast Cancers
New Hormonal Therapy Vepdegestrant Promising for Some Metastatic HR+ Breast Cancers May 30, 2025 The new medicine offered more benefits than Faslodex. Read more…