What is metastatic breast cancer? How does it spread? What happens after diagnosis?

In this episode, Breast Cancer Now nurse Catherine Priestley joins Laura for an informative chat about metastatic, or secondary, breast cancer. They discuss the signs and symptoms to look out for, and explain how and where it can spread around the body.

Laura shares her own experience of a incurable breast cancer, including scan anxiety and the ways she's learned to live with it. She discusses with Catherine the importance of peer support and holding on to hope while living with uncertainty.

They also explain how Breast Cancer Now’s nurses and support services can help people living with metastatic breast cancer, as well as their friends and families.

Read more information about metastatic breast cancer.
You can call the Breast Cancer Now helpline on 0808 800 6000.
Ask our nurses a question.
Talk to someone like you.
Find group support for people with metastatic breast cancer.

Support for parents with cancer from Fruitfly Collective.
Listen to Caroline Leek on parenting with cancer.
Listen to Caroline Leek on talking with children about death and grief.

Support for people with metastatic cancer from Make 2nds Count.
Listen to Claire from Make 2nds Count.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key topics:
2:16 What is metastatic breast cancer?
3:13 How does breast cancer spread to other parts of the body?
6:16 What does 'terminal' mean?
8:02 What does 'de novo' mean?
11:05 The signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer
21:54 How to get any concerns you have checked out
24:58 I've been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. What now?
27:39 Finding hope with a metastatic cancer diagnosis
29:06 Coping with the emotional impact of a metastatic diagnosis
38:03 How long am I going to live?
42:39 Planning your life with metastatic breast cancer
44:20 Treatments for metastatic breast cancer
44:55 Treatment for ER+ metastatic breast cancer
47:03 Treatment for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer
48:08 Treatment for triple negative metastatic breast cancer
49:16 What is disease progression?
50:13 Coping with scanxiety, the worry before a scan
53:57 Clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer
58:00 What happens when treatment options run out?
1:01:44 Financial support
1:03:59 Further support for anyone affected by metastatic breast cancer

In this episode Laura speaks to Dani Binnington about the often overlooked impact of a cancer-induced menopause. They are also joined by Breast Cancer Now nurse Louise Grimsdell.

They discuss their experiences of the menopause, and many symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, low libido, fatigue, joint pain, anxiety, depression, and weight gain, and the profound impact these symptoms can have on quality of life. They talk about practical ways to manage the symptoms and the importance of seeking support from healthcare professionals rather than suffering in silence.

Laura, Dani and Lou talk about how significantly the menopause, especially after cancer, can affect so many aspects of life, and where to find support.

Find Dani's organisation Menopause and cancer and @menopause_and_cancer

Key Topics
03:35 Dani's diagnosis
07:11 What is menopause?
08:10 Dani's experience of menopause
13:07 Laura's experience of menopause
17:12 Dani on the NFP Menopause and cancer
22:45 The ultimate goal
25:17 Laura on the importance of acknowledging how the menopause affects you
29:15 The most asked menopause questions
34:27 What are hot flushes, and what can be done about them?
43:04 The effect on menopause on sex and intimacy
55:55 Dating and the menopause
01:02:00 Affects on fertility
01:08:55 Mental health
01:13:35 Services of menopause and cancer
01:14:35 The impact of exercise on symptoms of menopause
01:21:14 Nutrition and diet
01:25:15 Weight gain through menopause and cancer treatment
01:28:11 Where to find support and resources

Being diagnosed with breast cancer might leave you with so many questions. Why has this happened to me? How do I tell my children? What treatment will I have? Will I lose my hair? Where can I find support?

In this episode, Breast Cancer Now nurse Jane Murphy answers your questions about primary breast cancer. She explains what to expect after a diagnosis, tips for surgery, genetic testing, diet, exercise, telling people about your diagnosis, and dealing with work.

Jane also discusses how Breast Cancer Now can support you through this uncertain time. She shares what it's like to work on the helpline and ask our nurses services, provide reassurance and support to people for many years.

You can call the Breast Cancer Now helpline on 0808 800 6000.
Or ask our nurses a question on our website.
You can talk to someone like you.
Support and events for younger women.
Support for moving forward after treatment.

Support for parenting with cancer at Fruitfly Collective.
Listen to our episode with Caroline Leek about parenting with cancer.

Support for working with cancer at Working With Cancer.
Listen to our episode with Barbara Wilson about working with cancer.

Timestamps:
1:26 Why did I get breast cancer?
2:52 How do I tell people I have breast cancer?
4:48 How do I tell my children about my diagnosis?
6:40 What treatment will I have for breast cancer?
8:26 Am I going to die?
9:12 What does oestrogen positive (ER+) mean?
10:08 What does triple negative mean?
10:52 Do I need to stop taking HRT?
11:41 Can I still take supplements during chemotherapy?
12:24 Will I lose my hair with chemotherapy?
13:50 Will the cancer spread while I wait for surgery?
15:59 I want to have my breasts removed but my surgeon says I only need a lumpectomy.
17:40 How do I choose my breast reconstruction?
20:11 How can I talk to someone else who's been through this?
20:48 How will treatment affect my fertility?
22:05 How do I request genetic testing?
23:34 Should I be worried about my children getting breast cancer?
24:28 What it's like for Jane working at Breast Cancer Now.
27:29 Do I need to change my diet?
28:03 Can I still exercise?
29:00 Can I still drink alcohol?
29:46 Did I cause my breast cancer?
31:22 How do I deal with work?
32:47 What are the side effects of hormone therapy?
34:21 What support is there?

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, Laura speaks to her mum Christine. She joins us to talk about being the parent of an adult child with cancer, and their family’s long history with breast cancer. They talk about Christine’s mother Hetty, who died from breast cancer age 43, and her sister Heather, who also had breast cancer.

Laura reflects on her personal experiences of breast cancer, being first diagnosed when she was 29, and then again in 2022 with metastatic breast cancer, and the emotional impact this had on the family. They discuss discovering that they carry a gene mutation PALB2, which has helped to explain the pattern of breast cancer across generations.

Despite the challenges, they talk about what cancer has taught them, how they both focus on living life now, making memories and appreciating the support and treatments available today.

You can watch this episode on Youtube.

Key topics:
03:05 Christine's mother's diagnosis
13:30 Awareness of breast cancer growing up
14:35 Laura's primary diagnosis
21:20 What it was like parenting a grown up child with cancer
24:10 Fear of the breast cancer returning
26:51 Christine's sister, Heather's diagnosis
30:50 Laura's metastatic diagnosis
35:30 How Christine felt about Laura's metastatic diagnosis
37:10 What it feels like, as the person who hasn't had cancer
39:10 Genetic mutations and implications
48:00 Risk factors and differences in lifestyles contributing to breast cancer
52:20 The impact of breast cancer on living life to the fullest
53:14 What Christine has learnt about breast cancer
56:36 Laura's dad
57:50 Laura reflecting on making decisions about her fertility treatment
01:01:08 One thing to take away from this episode

Ashley Dalton, Labour MP and former Health Minister, joins Laura on the Breast Cancer Now podcast this week.

In this episode, Ashley reflects on her breast cancer diagnoses, and what working with incurable metastatic disease is like. She also talks about leading the development of the National Cancer Plan for England and why patients' experiences are essential for creating cancer policy.

Ashley discusses the importance of counting people with metastatic cancers, having a single patient file in the NHS, and pushing for real change.

Read the National Cancer Plan here.

Key Topics:
01:18 Getting to know Ashley Dalton
07:45 Ashley's breast cancer diagnoses
14:14 Life between primary and metastatic breast cancer
16:36 The Prime Minister's reaction to Ashley's cancer diagnosis
18:43 Ashley resigns from her job as Health Minister
20:40 What is the National Cancer Plan?
22:06 Involving organisations and patients in the Cancer Plan
25:40 The great ambition of the Cancer Plan
31:52 What does the National Cancer Plan mean for metastatic breast cancer?
33:02 We need to count people with metastatic breast cancer
37:43 Improving access to treatment
44:03 Identifying people with an increased risk of breast cancer
45:32 Improving access to breast screening
48:44 Ashley shares her highlights from the Cancer Plan
51:24 Keeping hope in the face of metastatic breast cancer

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, we speak to Tamara about her diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, cancer in Black communities, and the impact of discovering she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation.

Tamara opens up about the emotional weight of having to explain her cancer and her behaviour to the people around her. She also explores the stigma and mistrust that surrounds cancer in Black communities, and why culturally sensitive education is the key to improving outcomes.

The conversation explores the feeling of dismissal Black women face in healthcare settings, and the incredible support Tamara experienced when she found Black Women Rising.

Find support at Breast Cancer Now
More info about Younger Women Together courses

Find support at Black Women Rising
Find support at UK Charity for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
From Me To You - Supporting Black Cancer Communities.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:
2:50 Life before diagnosis
5:36 Mara's breast cancer diagnosis
11:08 Conversations about the BRCA gene mutation
13:52 Understanding triple negative breast cancer
20:37 Black women experiencing dismissal in healthcare
22:48 What needs to be done to help improve healthcare for Black women?
24:13 How Mara's diagnosis was received by her family and her community
25:32 Mental health support at the point of cancer diagnosis
28:58 Christian beliefs and breast cancer
32:02 Difficulty talking with other people about your cancer diagnosis
39:46 The power of the breast cancer community
41:20 Body image after surgery for breast cancer
44:01 Improving education in black Caribbean and black African communities
51:18 Mara's work with Black Women Rising

In this episode Laura speaks to Pretti who was prompted to self-check by a friend, and was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 47.

Pretti reflects on some of the misconceptions and taboos around breast cancer in the South Asian community. She speaks about the importance of encouraging open and honest conversations about breast cancer awareness and early detection.

They discuss the physical effects of treatment such as hair loss during chemotherapy and how she coped with body image changes. Pretti also talks about how exercise, acupuncture, education and self-compassion have helped her recovery.

Pretti explains how sharing her story through social media has helped create a supportive community, encouraging women to check their breasts and attend mammograms, and providing hope to others undergoing treatment.

Key Topics
02:05 Pretti's diagnosis, treatment and how she is now
08:11 The cultural approach to health matters in the South Asian community
13:13 Advice for speaking to parents
16:50 Barriers to diagnosis for South Asian women
17:45 Why you shouldn't be reluctant to go to a mammograms
18:05 Empowering women to take control of their breast health
18:30 Advice for someone struggling to talk to their family about their diagnosis
22:05 South Asian beauty standards and body image during treatment
26:10 Speaking to kids about breast cancer
31:50 Fighting back feelings of shame and guilt around cancer, after being brought up with misconceptions and taboos around the topic
36:35 (Surgically induced) Menopause
39:15 Managing low mood
43:14 Attitudes to food and nutrition
47:45 Being a model in The Show by Breast Cancer Now
48:57 Being a BCN voice
51:00 Something you wish you'd known before your diagnosis
53:54 What do you want people to take away from this episode?

Find Pretti on Instagram at @hellobreastcancer