Metastatic Breast Cancer - The Battle That Never Ends

Honoring the warriors living with Stage IV breast cancer

Insights for Empowerment

Recently, someone commented on one of my articles: “I live with HER2+ ER+ metastatic breast cancer in both of my lungs. I do not have breast cancer remaining in my breasts.”

Her words stopped me. Because while I fought breast cancer and came out the other side, she’s still fighting. Every single day. And she will be for the rest of her life.

Today, I want to honor the women living with metastatic breast cancer. Their battle is different from mine.

What Metastatic Breast Cancer Means

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also called Stage IV, means the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body—most commonly to bones, lungs, liver, or brain.

Even when there’s no cancer left in the breast itself, it’s still called “breast cancer” because that’s where it started.

The Critical Difference

Early-stage breast cancer: Can often be treated with the goal of eliminating all cancer. Many women become cancer-free.

Metastatic breast cancer: Cannot be cured with current treatments. It becomes a chronic disease requiring lifelong treatment.

Women with metastatic breast cancer don’t get to ring a bell and walk away. They don’t get to say “I’m done.”

Their Reality

• Lifelong treatment with chemo, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy

• Regular scans every few months

• Managing constant side effects

• Switching treatments when one stops working

• Living with uncertainty

• Fighting exhaustion while maintaining normalcy

They are fighting a battle that doesn’t end.

Why We Need to Talk About Stage IV

About 30% of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will eventually develop metastatic disease. Yet metastatic breast cancer receives only about 7% of research funding.

These women need our awareness, support, and advocacy.

They Are Warriors

The woman with cancer in her lungs? She’s on treatment for life. She’s living with active cancer in her body every day. And yet, she’s here. Reading. Learning. Living.

That’s strength beyond measure.

Conclusion

I walked away from active treatment. But thousands of women don’t get that gift. They wake up every day knowing they have cancer. They go to treatment knowing it will never end.

To every woman living with metastatic breast cancer: You are seen. You are valued. Your fight matters.

Encouraging Nuggets

Ways to Support MBC Warriors:

• Donate to metastatic research (METAvivor)

• Show up consistently

• Remember: they’re living WITH cancer, not dying FROM it

• Advocate for more research funding

Scripture: “The Lord is my strength and my shield.” – Psalm 28:7