No One Missed: Share the Facts on Biomarker Testing for MBC
Imagine a world where everyone living with metastatic breast cancer gets the most effective treatment possible. No One Missed, a campaign created through a powerful collaboration between the LUNGevity Foundation and MBC Alliance nonprofit member Living Beyond Breast Cancer, is working towards exactly that.
Originally launched by LUNGevity Foundation to serve the lung cancer community, this community-led campaign has just expanded to include people living with MBC and their caregivers, thanks to LUNGevity’s partnership with LBBC and the support of pharmaceutical companies and advocacy organizations including the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance.
A critical part of every breast cancer diagnosis
No One Missed aims to grow public awareness of the importance of biomarker testing in navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and to empower patients to discuss this testing with their healthcare team. Biomarkers – the specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as proteins or changes in tumor cell DNA – can offer critical information on how a patient’s specific cancer behaves, so doctors can tailor treatment plans for optimal effectiveness. But despite recent advancements that have made more treatment options available for MBC, not all patients are receiving biomarker testing that could potentially improve their prognosis.
Jean Sachs, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer
“Biomarker testing has become a game changer to help patients and their doctors make more informed decisions,” says Jean Sachs, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. “For someone living with MBC, their cancer may evolve over time and their biomarkers may change. This signifies an important need for conversations between patients and healthcare care teams about biomarker testing at diagnosis, and every time a cancer progresses. Our hope for this campaign is that it will help improve patient and doctor conversations about biomarker testing.”
Empowering those living with MBC to make informed decisions on care
The campaign web page at NoOneMissed.org/BreastCancer encourages people living with MBC to take an active role in their health by following four key steps: Take Stock, Talk, Test, and Treat. It also shares real-life patient stories and downloadable resources, including a fact sheet about biomarker testing and a guide on how to talk to healthcare providers – all designed to help those living with MBC make informed decisions about their treatment journey.
Sheila Godreau, Patient Advocate Living with MBC
“My diagnosis of de novo metastatic breast cancer was daunting,” recalls Sheila Godreau, a patient advocate member of the Alliance who is an MBC thriver and proud mom of two young adults. “However, biomarker testing revealed key information about my cancer and my treatment options, which gave me a sense of control over my cancer and provided me with possibilities. I feel a responsibility to share the realities of metastatic disease with the MBC community and why biomarker testing is a crucial step in managing their health.”
The Alliance is proud to support No One Missed as an important initiative that advances our mission of improving access to quality MBC treatments and care and empowering people through increased information and access to resources about MBC. Want to be part of this effort? Join us in spreading the word to your network about this important new resource!
