Directing more research dollars to help end MBC
Though metastatic breast cancer is considered a terminal diagnosis, most research dollars are still being directed to early-stage breast cancer. With your support, we are helping researchers pursue breakthroughs that could turn MBC into a survivable disease with a decent quality of life.
Meeting an urgent need
In the United States alone, someone dies from breast cancer on average every 12 to 13 minutes.1 Almost all of these deaths are from Stage IV or metastatic breast cancer. Just wearing, buying, or even donating to “pink” does not reduce deaths from breast cancer. Scientists know that research specifically focused on metastasis is crucial to significantly reduce the breast cancer mortality rate. Metastasis research is challenging for various reasons. However, the biggest obstacle is lack of funding: from 2014 to 2020, only 13% of all breast cancer research dollars were devoted to MBC research.2
In 2025, it is estimated there will be over 316,000 Americans diagnosed with breast cancer.3 About 6% of these diagnoses are metastatic de novo, or Stage 4 at the time of diagnosis.1 An estimated 10% to 40% of all people diagnosed with Stages 0 through 3 breast cancer will eventually go on to develop metastatic breast cancer, depending on the stage diagnosis and other characteristics of the disease.4 Science has very few answers to the reason why cancer metastasizes, and we don’t yet have an effective treatment to permanently arrest metastatic growth.
1A.N. Giaquinto, et al, “Breast Cancer Statistics, 2022.” CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 72(6), 524–541, October 2022.
2Analysis of Trends in Funding of Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, December 2023.
3National Cancer Institute. “Cancer Stat Facts: Female Breast Cancer.” Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER), 2025.
4Sinn, H. Peter, et al. “Long Term Risk of Distant Metastasis in Women with Non‐Metastatic Breast Cancer.” The Breast: Official Journal of the European Society of Mastology, vol. 66, 2022, 102–110.
What we are
fighting
to change
Though effective breast cancer treatments exist, if the cancer metastasizes, there is no cure. Yet most breast cancer fundraising movements focus on prevention and early detection, which does not help those already diagnosed with MBC.
1 in 4
About 1 in 4 patients with early-stage breast cancer eventually have a metastatic recurrence
“Reductions in Recurrence in Women with Early Breast Cancer…” The Lancet, October 2024
32%
Only 32% of people diagnosed with MBC live longer than 5 years
“Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024-2025,” American Cancer Society
42K
42K lives are lost each year to MBC
“Breast Cancer Statistics, 2022.” CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, October 2022
13%
Just 13% of breast cancer research dollars go toward MBC research
“Analysis of Trends in Funding of Metastatic Breast Cancer Research,” MBC Alliance, December 2023
Your impact on funding
Many metastasis researchers believe MBC could become a chronic rather than terminal disease, if only there were more money to do the research necessary to develop effective treatments. Over the past decade, METAvivor grants have been the catalyst driving advancement and expansion of the federal metastatic breast cancer research portfolio. While there is still far to go, progress has been measurable.
Comparative Federal Funding for Research
As of 2024
Breast Cancer Research Portfolios (NIH)
$792 million
Metastatic Breast Cancer Research*
$79 million
*Calculated, Analysis of Trends in Funding of Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, MBC Alliance, December 2023
Growth in Federal Funding for Research
2016 to 2024
+21%
Breast Cancer Research Portfolios
From $656 million to $792* million
+1,200%
Metastatic Breast Cancer Research**
From $6 million to $79 million
*As estimated by NIH.
**Calculated, Analysis of Trends in Funding of Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, MBC Alliance, December 2023
Join this critical effort!
We welcome people living with MBC, family members, caregivers, friends, and anyone who supports our cause to join our collaborative work. Become a METAvivor voice and give us your talents, passion, and whatever time you have to spare to raise awareness of the need to find solutions to metastatic breast cancer.
Donate Now
METAvivor is the only organization that uses a scientific peer-and-patient-advocate review process to exclusively fund metastatic breast cancer research. Make a tax-deductible gift today, and help fuel breakthroughs that could save the lives of countless women and men worldwide.
