What Black Women Should Know About Metastatic Breast Cancer

Because black women are at higher risk of metastatic breast cancer than their white counterparts, knowledge concerning the facts and symptoms of the disease stays as common as ever.

Metastatic breast cancer, also referred to as stage IV or advanced breast cancer, occurs when cancer cells break away from their original location, forming a brand new tumor in one other tissue or organ. The cells, called metastases, often spread beyond the breast tissue to organs akin to the bones, liver, lungs or brain. According to the doctors of Living Beyond Breast Cancer normally diagnoses this kind of cancer through imaging, blood tests and biopsies.

Symptoms of the disease vary depending on location, but are sometimes much like other health problems. In the case of individuals with bone metastases, they’ll expect severe and unexplained pain, in addition to fractures. Lung metastases cause shortness of breath and dry cough. On the opposite hand, liver metastases could cause sudden weight reduction, and their effects on the brain could cause dizziness, nausea, and vision and memory problems.

According to the Black Women’s Health Imperative, Black women usually are not alone more likely diagnosing this kind of breast cancer, but in addition with a more lethal end result. Due to systemic problems within the health care system related to preventive treatment and early detection, this demographic is more prone to be diagnosed with breast cancer when it’s already in a sophisticated stage.

Although this kind of cancer can’t be cured, individuals with the disease may experience periods where tests show no signs of the disease, which is commonly abbreviated to NED. Moreover, cancer doesn’t all the time grow, resulting in “stable disease.”

Treatment options also transcend chemotherapy to incorporate hormone therapy and targeted therapy to stop cancer growth. Moreover, palliative care provides greater support in coping with the symptoms and uncomfortable side effects of the disease.

Despite a metastatic diagnosis leading to continued treatment, every person’s experience and lifestyle can be different. Living well despite cancer remains to be possible, and specializing in food regimen and exercise can be helpful.

“A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer is devastating and overwhelming,” Douglas Yee, M.D., a breast cancer oncologist on the University of Minnesota, explained on the web site. “The first question that often comes to the fore is: ‘how long will I live’? Most doctors can cite statistics (and statistics can be searched on “Doctor Google”), but these statistics are based on a population of men and women and do not necessarily predict how each patient will fare as an individual. As every person is different, every cancer is different. Therefore, the course of metastatic breast cancer and its treatment are also different.”

However, early detection stays key to mitigating the consequences of the disease. Organizations, akin to Sisters Network Inc. and For The Breast of Us as well proceed spread awareness amongst black women and other most vulnerable people.