metastatic breast cancer

Recurrent and Metastatic Breast Cancer

We know you really don't want to be here, reading about breast cancer recurrence or metastasis. If you've had breast cancer, the possibility of recurrence and spread (metastasis) of breast cancer stays with you. You may be here because you fear this possibility. Or you may be here because it's already happened.

Keep in mind that a recurrence of breast cancer or metastatic (advanced) disease is NOT hopeless. Many women continue to live long, productive lives with breast cancer in this stage. It is also likely that your experience with treatment this time will be somewhat different from last time. There are so many options for your care and so many ways to chart your progress as you move through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.

Because there are so many options, this is a long section. You may want to read just a few pages at a time. You might find it very difficult to concentrate, think straight, and remember what you've read. That's natural when you're anxious, uncertain, overwhelmed. We'll do our best to help you find what you're looking for.

If you're already feeling stuck in the fear and you need to deal with that first, here are a few places to try right away:

· Start with the TALK BACK TO FEAR button, to find some comfort as well as logical answers for your fears.

· Then read about coping with fear of recurrence · Also visit the discussion boards and chat rooms, where other women who've been there are ready to reach out and help you get through the whole experience.