“Just write about mets,” I’m told by “upstate” Ann Marie, a fellow blogger and breast cancer advocate. “We need more posts about mets.”
One in three breast cancer patients metastasize. But these form only part of the metastatic community. There is another group of people who also metastasize: people who have no history of breast cancer and suddenly learn they are metastatic. These patients comprise to 6% of the breast cancer community. This can happen when a mammogram does not detect a tumor. It can happen when mammograms are initially denied a person, giving the cancer time to advance. And it can happen when a patient’s breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body where they form tumors, without having ever developed a breast tumor. Today we welcome Susanne Kraus, who is one of the six percent.
During October we’ll be hearing from a variety of patients and a few family members, friends and caregivers about their journey with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). But to kick off the October series, we’re printing an article written by the other person in the thick of it … the oncologist.
Today we welcome Don S. Dizon, an oncologist, who has written on a topic we can all relate to -- choices. Originally appearing on September 11, 2014 as a commentary in the ASCO Connection, the following article is reprinted here with the permission of both the ASCO Connection and the author.
October is fast approaching, and this year METAvivor will focus the personal stories of MBC patients and caregivers. We want to hear from you!
We are pleased to announce that METAvivor will be featured in a segment on The Balancing Act® on Lifetime® Television on September 3rd at 7am ET/PT. The segment will also run on September 10th at 7am ET/PT. The Balancing Act is one of America’s premier women’s morning shows.
