There is controversy about how to figure out which research studies are actually focused on metastatic patients. I've read the titles of research studies that contained the word "metastatic," but once you look at the purpose of the study, it is clearly not for stage IV patients. Reading research studies and discovering that the title … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/12 →

A chronic disease is one that can be managed such that a person's life expectancy is not changed. I was 38 when I was told that my life expectancy had just shrunk to 2-3 years. Think about that, for just a second, rather than looking at another 40 to 50 years based on the longevity … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/11 →

The numbers we use to attempt to give some shape to the astonishing amount of people literally dying of this disease are estimates. We don't have real numbers because we're not being counted. Think about that ... we count all the early stagers, somewhat obsessively. But those of us who are actively dying, there is … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/10 →

This particular statistic is a little old. In 2019, it is estimated to be over 45,000 men and women. That divides into 116 men and women in the US who die EVERY SINGLE DAY. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE!!?

The variety amongst breast cancer subtypes are myriad. Two people may even have the same subtype but at different concentrations and their cancer may behave very differently. Understanding your own subtype is extremely important. Each person is an expert of their own body and brings a huge part of the equation to the table.

Treating cancer of any kind is both an art and a science. Yes, there are scientific principles and the doctors need to understand a great deal to be able to work within the protocols. Yet, at the end of the day, every person is different and the profile of each subtype often results in different … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/7 →

Stage IV is terminal. There is no cure. While there are chronic features/symptoms, stage IV metastatic breast cancer is not chronic. I and the rest of the men and women living with Stage IV hop from treatment to treatment, desperately trying to stay ahead of the mutating cancer cells, praying to stay alive as long … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/6 →

Statistics are hard to keep up with. The stats quoted in this slide are a combination of reviewing the SEER database, extrapolating what we know, and a good amount of anecdotal data. We do need to be counted more accurately so that stats and data can be more precise. The issue is, especially for hormone … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/5 →

This is the question literally everyone wants an answer to -- why me? There is no good answer since the majority of breast cancer has no genetic component. There are certainly some things that everyone can do to stay healthy, but there are no guarantees. Some patterns can be helpful, but don't ignore symptoms that … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/4 →

Early detection does not actually save lives. Mammograms aren't always accurate and anyone who thinks they are safe does not understand the whole picture. I, for instance, got my very first mammogram after I felt a lump at age 38. Part of my initial treatment was discovering that I was already Stage IV and had … Continue reading Breast Cancer Facts, 10/3 →