Episode 5: Metastatic breast cancer

Metastatic breast cancer (also known as Stage 4 or advanced breast cancer) occurs when cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body. This might happen months or years after an early breast cancer diagnosis, or it might be the first diagnosis a person receives. Metastatic breast cancer is not curable, but there are many treatments that can help to control it and help the person with the disease enjoy quality of life. In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain talks to oncologist Professor Fran Boyle and Georgie Fyfe-Jamieson, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017 about treatment decisions, dealing with anxiety and uncertainty and living well despite the physical and emotional challenges of life after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.

Georgie died in July 2020. She was happy for us to continue to share this content and her story.

RESOURCES:

• BCNA's My Journey Online Tool
• BCNA's Hope & Hurdles Kit
• BCNA's free and confidential metastatic breast cancer phone counselling service
• BCNA Online Network
• Metastatic breast cancer hub (bcna.org.au)
• Metastatic breast cancer - where to find support (bcna.org.au)
• Fear of cancer progression (bcna.org.au)
• Metastatic breast cancer: an introduction (BCNA fact sheet)
• Exercise and breast cancer (BCNA fact sheet)

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons, and this episode was made possible through the Supporting Women In Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer program, funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia.

Want to get in touch? Email us at contact@bcna.org.au, or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia and how we support Australians with breast cancer at bcna.org.au/.