Susan Rahn...Susan was diagnosed with MBC de Novo in August 2013. Mets were found in her spine and ribs. In addition to her treatment plan, she’s had radiation for the mets...
Positive Attitude - How Important Is It Really?...After receiving a cancer diagnosis, many people find themselves bombarded with well-intentioned family and friends offering advice. This advice takes many forms-books on nutrition, articles about new treatments, and very...reactions4comments
Surgery - Lymph Node Dissection...Lymph node dissection is a surgical procedure in which several lymph nodes are removed from the underarm. This is also called an axillary lymph node dissection. The nodes are examined...
Surgery - Local Therapy...Local therapy refers to treatments that focus on breast cancer in a specific area without impacting the entire body. In contrast, systemic treatments treat the whole body. This means they...
Who is Most Affected by Breast Cancer?...Breast cancer is a serious disease, particularly when it is diagnosed in advanced stages. While there are many similarities among different populations with breast cancer, there are unique circumstances and...
How Are Black Women Affected by Breast Cancer?...Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Black women. In 2016, the American Cancer Society estimated there would be 30,700 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Black women...
Breast Cancer Stages...When people are diagnosed with cancer, doctors assign their cancer a stage. The stage generally describes how large the cancer is along with whether or how much it has spread...
Reconstructive Surgery...Reconstructive surgery is a type of plastic surgery that is used to rebuild the shape of the breast tissue. It may be performed at the time of the initial breast...
Complementary and Alternative Therapies...Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes a wide collection of healing methods and practices that are non-traditional. Many people use CAM along with mainstream medical treatment to help relieve symptoms...
Treatment for Symptoms of Breast Cancer Metastasis...Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The most common sites where breast cancer metastasizes include:Because MBC is in multiple places...
Radiation Therapy...Radiation therapy is a type of local treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells in a specific area. Cancer cells multiply rapidly and are more susceptible...
Immunotherapy...Immunotherapy is a type of systemic treatment that aims to boost a person's own immune system to fight cancer. Systemic treatments work by treating the whole body.Normally, the body’s immune...
Chemotherapy...Chemotherapy is a type of systemic treatment in which drugs are used to kill cancer cells. Systemic treatments work by treating the whole body. Chemotherapy drugs may be used in...
Participating in a Clinical Research Trial...Some women with advanced breast cancer may want to consider clinical trials as a treatment option. Clinical trials are a type of medical research in which new treatments are studied...
Glossary of Advanced Breast Cancer Terms...Advanced breast cancer – a term that encompasses both locally advanced breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer. Axillary lymph nodes – the lymph nodes found under the arm. Axillary lymph...
Symptoms – Skin Changes...Breast cancer may first appear as changes to the skin of the breast. Changes to the skin may appear as: Any changes to the breast tissue, including changes to the...
Symptoms - Breast or Nipple Pain...While most breast cancers do not cause pain, some patients may experience breast or nipple pain. Pain in the breast or nipple that does not go away should be reported...
Treatment Specialists for Advanced Breast Cancer...People with advanced breast cancer may have a care team of doctors and other specialists. A care team can combine people with many different jobs. They will work together to...
Symptoms - Changes in Size or Shape of Breast...One of the symptoms that breast cancer may cause is a change in the size or shape of the breast. The breast may appear to be swollen, misshapen, or may...
What is Hospice?...Hospice care is a model of compassionate care given at the end of someone’s life. Also called end-of-life care, hospice care often involves a team of healthcare professionals to provide...