Newly Diagnosed with MBC

This month we are focusing on resources and information that would be helpful when newly diagnosed with MBC. Learning you have MBC is likely to be overwhelming. It is important to understand how metastatic breast cancer differs from other stages of breast cancer. It is natural to ask: Who can help me? What happens next? What do I do now? About 168,300 individuals are living with metastatic breast cancer in the United States. Metastatic breast cancer is life changing, and managing the disease will now be part of your daily life. There are trusted resources available that can support you and a community that understands what it means to navigate and cope with a MBC diagnosis.

This month’s content was developed in collaboration with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, 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. With thirty years of experience, the organization remains 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, visit their resource hub for the newly diagnosed at https://mets.lbbc.org or call (855) 807-6386.

Click on the image in each section below to read more about the science behind the topic.

Finding out you have metastatic breast cancer can be overwhelming and intensely emotional. Understanding and coping with your diagnosis can help you make empowered decisions about what is best for you. Information is available to help you begin to make sense of your diagnosis, treatment options, and sources of support.

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If you’ve been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, sharing the news with loved ones – partners, children, parents, friends – can be one of the most difficult conversations you’ll ever have. Find tips for talking to your loved ones about how things may change and what you need, along with guidance on how to talk honestly with your partner about intimacy

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A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis can feel like an emotional roller coaster. It is important to have both supportive connections you can trust along with personal coping strategies. You may want to seek support from your healthcare team or a professional therapist. It may also help to connect with a community who understands what you are experiencing, to know that you are not alone. You can also learn strategies such as meditation, yoga or guided imagery that can reduce stress and help you connect with the whole you.

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A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis can bring concerns about extra costs, your financial well-being, and your job. Learn how to get ahead of unexpected medical and living expenses, how to understand and get the most out of your health insurance, and ways to keep costs down. Find tips on navigating workplace issues such as disclosing your diagnosis, privacy concerns, taking time off for treatment, and knowing your legal rights.

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Metastatic breast cancer treatment can cause side effects that impact how you’re feeling every day. Learn strategies to balance treatment and side effects, from people who’ve been there so you can focus on what’s most important to you. Find information on managing common side effects such as fatigue, nausea, pain, hair loss, and menopausal symptoms, as well as expert advice on maintaining balanced nutrition and staying physically active.

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In 2008, Kelly Shanahan had everything going for her: a busy and successful ob-gyn practice, a precocious 9-year-old daughter, and a well-used passport from traveling all over the world.

When she was diagnosed with stage IIB breast cancer, she considered it a mere bump in the road. When she developed sudden back pain 5 years later, Kelly never thought it could be breast cancer rearing its ugly head, but it was — metastatic breast cancer in virtually every bone in her body. She was diagnosed in 2013, on her 53rd birthday.

Neuropathy from the chemo cost her her career, but she has found a new purpose in advocacy. Kelly is on the board of METAvivor, a member of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, a Komen Advocate in Science, a grant reviewer and research advocate. She is passionate about getting patients to the table in the design, implementation, and follow up of clinical trials.

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Kathleen Dillon is a lawyer, mediator, and part-time college instructor diagnosed with MBC de novo in June 2020 (ER/PR+, HER2-). In her free time, she loves to read, cook, travel, and do yoga. Advocating for breast cancer awareness and research and connecting with other MBC survivors gives her purpose and meaning, and she remains grateful for the support of the MBC community. Kathleen is a 2021 Living Beyond Breast Cancer Hear My Voice Advocate.

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Deltra Kroemer is a Connecticut-based mama of five amazing girls whom she strives to raise with cultural and health awareness. She’s a chain tea drinker, wig hoarder, and lover of singing loudly and dancing unabashedly. Since being diagnosed with Triple Negative MBC de novo in 2019 she has focused on thriving through education, advocacy, connecting and radical self-care. She is passionate about mental and emotional wellness, creative expression as a means of coping, community building and connecting BIPOC women with people and spaces that can care for their whole selves. She is a member of Lacuna Loft’s YACS advisory board, the inaugural class of For the Breast of Us Baddie Ambassador, the Our MBC Life podcast staff and serves as Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for Project Life MBC.

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Diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant in 2013, Julia Maués delivered a healthy baby boy and found out shortly thereafter that the cancer had already spread to her bones, liver and brain. After multiple complications including heart failure caused by the cancer drugs, recurrence of the brain mets, and multiple changes in drugs, the cancer started to respond.

There were (and still are) many other setbacks: a diagnosis like Julia’s comes with a huge emotional toll, not only to her, but also to those around her. Cancer is part of her life, but she is so much more than a patient, and at every moment since her diagnosis, she is still LIVING. Her new reality of living with this disease has opened her eyes to the inequities in breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is the only breast cancer that kills, and research is the only effort that truly helps patients do what they want to do – LIVE! That’s why Julia became involved in advocacy. She especially enjoys working with researchers and showing them the side of breast cancer they often can only imagine – the life of a patient. Her goal is to make cancer research more patient-centered, innovative and inclusive so people with MBC can live longer and better lives.

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