Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness with Dr. Barbara Craft

Published on Thursday, October 13, 2022

Dr. Barbara Craft, professor of hematology/oncology, leads the CCRI Interdisciplinary Breast Cancer Care team. She has worked with many women with metastatic breast cancer and provides answers to questions she often receives as CCRI observes Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Oct. 13.

What is metastatic breast cancer? 
Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that is spread beyond the breast and regional lymph nodes.  Once it has gone outside of this area, to other organs like the bone, liver, lung, other lymph nodes, brain, etc, it is considered to have distant metastases and called Stage IV.

Can you predict if someone will have metastatic breast cancer? 
It is hard to predict who may end up having metastatic breast cancer.  Some concerning symptoms to watch for include unexplained weight loss or new pain.  We also monitor routine labs which can give us an idea if something is going on.

Is there any treatment for it?
There are treatment options available for metastatic breast cancer which vary depending on what type of breast cancer a person has.  There are now more targeted agents available for most types of breast cancer and more drugs are being studied.

What are top questions to ask if I’m diagnosed with it?

1. What type of breast cancer do I have? Invasive ductal or invasive lobular?
2. What are my receptors: estrogen/progesterone and Her2Neu?
3. What stage is my breast cancer?
4. What is the treatment plan?

Does a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis mean I’m going to die soon? 
Not necessarily.  It really depends on the type of breast cancer, the receptors, and where it has spread.  It also depends on how someone responds to treatment.  Everyone is different, so make sure to talk to your doctor specifically about your cancer. 

More about breast cancer: Breast Cancers - University of Mississippi Medical Center (umc.edu)