A Few Words About Mets

Well, we’re almost halfway through Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The blur of pink ribbons, hope-filled walks and runs for research, products to buy for the cause and endless media articles can be overwhelming even for us “insiders” in the field. The good news is that all this activity does have a purpose. Good things are happening. In a world first, a research team at BC Cancer Agency led by Dr. Sam Aparicio (Go Canada!) have decoded all three billion letters in the DNA sequence of a metastatic breast cancer tumour and identified the mutations that caused the original tumour to spread. It’s a major step towards unraveling the mysteries of how cancer begins and what makes it move to other parts of the body. News around advances in metastatic breast cancer is desperately needed. Women dealing with a recurrence often feel especially isolated, even from other survivors. As one friend with mets put it, someone in her support group told her “you’re my worst nightmare.” We need more research on metastatic breast cancer and more specialized support too. As more and more women are “living with breast cancer,” the support needs are changing.

Photo: MJ DeCoteau, Executive Director of Rethink Breast Cancer

Our friends at Willow Breast Cancer Support have made metastatic breast cancer a priority. They are lobbying the government to create a special metastatic breast cancer awareness day initiative. And, they have just launched the ‘Beacons of Hope’ web portal where women living with metastatic breast cancer can get the support they need no matter where they are in Canada; any time of day or night. If you have metastatic disease or know anyone dealing with it, check out the live and interactive chat tonight at 7 p.m. EST at beacon.willow.org. It will feature author Carol Ann Cole who has been dealing with recurring breast cancer. The message in her book If I Knew Then What I Knew Now is that hope doesn’t go away, ‘hope changes’.

In November, our Breast Fest Film Festival will include an incredible, inspiring film on metastatic disease called Stage IV: A Journey Into the Unknown. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Hmmmm…..I wonder if Dr. Aparico would be available for our panel? Gotta go look into that!

MJ DeCoteau, Executive Director of Rethink Breast Cancer