October is a month when football players change their sock color to pink and the nation turns their attention to the importance of Breast Cancer awareness. However, we want to bring special awareness to stage IV breast cancer, Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC).
Metastatic breast cancer is commonly misunderstood. It simply means the cancer has traveled to other areas, not just the breast. (And the same goes for any other type of cancer, lung , pancreatic, etc.) The cancer cells have traveled to other parts of the body and they are no longer curable. Metastatic is also referred to as stage 4 or “Advanced Cancer.” MBC is the last stage of breast cancer, and all deaths from breast cancer are caused by MBC.
The patients spend their lives fighting the disease. Tom Werge’s wife, Halie, has been battling MBC for almost 3 years now. In Halie’s case, the cancer left the breast via the lymph nodes and traveled to the bones, lung, liver, and brain. She has had a double mastectomy, radiation to the breast area and brain, and numerous rounds of chemo.
Halie has lost 50% of her vision due to the side effects of raidation as well as most function of her right arm and hand. As you can imagine, this has made regular life difficult, and she has been unable to even drive herself. She has started hyperbaric chamber treatments to help with radiation injuries. We are optimistic she will see amazing results and positive changes from this treatment.
In addition, much more funding is needed to research MBC. Most funds raised for breast cancer go to “awareness.” In terms of stage 4, we need research and many patients need funding and grants. In the US, we have to wait a minimum of 5 months to apply for disability. And then around 2 years to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid. Most patients live an average of 3-5 years. Organizations like METAvivor are trying to change this.
METAvivor is a non-profit organization that is solely dedicated to the specific fight of MBC through research, awareness, and support. Please take a moment to check out their website, brochure, and donate to this incredible foundation in support of MBC research.