Metastatic Breast Cancer Essay

Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers that affect a myriad of people in today’s society. “About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.” (Breast Cancer, 2016). Some people diagnosed with this type of cancer could have the opportunity to detect it early on due to screenings or self-evaluations. However despite early detection, it does not guarantee that the cancer can be treated in its entirety. Different stage levels decide the degree in which the breast cancer has spread. In stage I, the site of origination is the only place where the cancer is. This makes it easier to treat. However in stage IV, otherwise known as metastatic breast cancer, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body besides the breast and lymph nodes. (John Hopkins Medicine, 2016). The treatment becomes more difficult for metastatic breast cancer because of the systemic spread to the rest of the body. Those with metastatic breast cancer have different treatment options available to them. The goal for these patients is not necessarily to cure the cancer, but to control its growth from further spreading. It is important to understand and become aware of these different treatments because of how common breast cancer is in our …show more content…
Advanced breast cancer is a serious disease. These people deal with the hardships and trials that go along with this cancer. As breast cancer becomes more prevalent in our lives today, knowing the treatment options along with the side effects is important; especially for those who have family members already diagnosed. The main idea of treating metastatic breast cancer is to control the cancerous cells from producing more damage. However, even in the most advanced stage these treatments give a sense of hope that there is a possibility and a reason to keep