About the Author
Marla Anderson, MD, FACS, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in breast oncology and surgical treatment for breast disease. She is currently Medical Director of Breast Oncology at the Mission Providence Hospital and Leonard Cancer Institute in Mission Viejo, California. Her expertise includes sensation-preserving mastectomy, hidden scar breast surgery, and oncoplastic breast surgery.
A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. After receiving this life-changing news, you may experience emotions like shock, fear, sadness, anxiety, and depression. While metastatic breast cancer is not curable, it is treatable. Many people with metastatic breast cancer live full, meaningful lives for years—sometimes a decade or more—after diagnosis.
Understanding what lies ahead and the resources available can empower you to face this journey with strength, hope, and confidence.
Tips to Improve Your Quality of Life
It’s normal to feel like time is running out after receiving a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. It’s important to remember that many people live for years after their diagnosis, continuing to work, travel, spend time with loved ones, and pursue their passions while managing their cancer.
I always encourage my patients to shift their mindset to focus on living in the present and planning for the future.
Prioritizing your physical and emotional well-being can help you feel your best while navigating the challenges of living with metastatic breast cancer.
Focus on Nutrition
Maintaining a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet is essential for fueling your body, supporting your immune system, and helping you maintain a healthy weight. Focus on consuming a variety of whole foods, including lean proteins, healthy fats, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
Staying hydrated and limiting processed foods, excess sugar, and unhealthy fats can also contribute to overall well-being and combat appetite loss. Consult a registered dietitian, who can help tailor a meal plan that meets your specific nutritional needs during treatment.
Move Your Body
Engaging in regular physical activity, even at a gentle pace, can provide numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Low-impact exercises such as walking, yoga, swimming, or tai chi can improve flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health while also helping to reduce stress and boost mood.
Exercise may also help manage treatment-related side effects, such as fatigue and joint pain. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise routine to ensure it aligns with your personal health status.
Explore Complementary Therapies
In addition to standard medical treatments, many people find relief and comfort through complementary therapies. Acupuncture, meditation, and massage therapy may help manage common treatment side effects, such as:
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Hair loss
- Hot flashes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Nausea
- Weight changes
Practices like deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can help reduce anxiety and promote emotional balance.
Some individuals also find that journaling, music therapy, aromatherapy, or engaging in creative outlets like painting or crafting can provide emotional support and improve overall quality of life while coping with the challenges of metastatic breast cancer. Always discuss any complementary therapies with your healthcare team to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your specific condition.
Explore Treatment Options for Side Effects
Metastatic breast cancer treatments can cause side effects, including nausea, hair loss, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, hot flashes, depression, weight changes, and brain fog.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to manage these side effects and maintain a good quality of life during treatment with the right combination of medications and complementary therapies. For example, anti-nausea medications, gentle exercises, physical therapy, and complementary therapies like acupuncture can effectively reduce many treatment-related side effects.
The Power of Social Support
Social support is an invaluable lifeline when living with metastatic breast cancer. A reliable network of family, friends, and healthcare providers can help you feel understood, loved, and cared for.
Accepting practical help from family and friends, such as transportation to treatments, grocery shopping, cooking, or childcare, can lighten your load. Many cancer centers offer access to mental health professionals, and organizations like the American Cancer Society host online and in-person support groups. Connecting with others who understand your experience can provide comfort and coping strategies.
Open, honest communication with your healthcare team is one of the best ways to prepare for what lies ahead and improve your quality of life. Don’t hesitate to express your concerns, share your goals, or ask for guidance. Your healthcare team is there to support you every step of the way, providing the care, resources, and encouragement you need.
Looking Ahead
While planning for the future is important, I encourage you to focus on the present and live fully in the moment. Remember that everyone’s journey is different—what matters most is finding approaches that work for you. With the right treatment, a strong support system, and a positive mindset, you can continue to lead an active, fulfilling life with metastatic breast cancer.
As told to Lindsay Curtis.