20% TO 30% OF PEOPLE INITIALLY DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY STAGE DISEASE WILL DEVELOP METASTATIC BREAST CANCER

Metastatic cancer, also known as Stage IV cancer, occurs when cancer that started in one organ, such as the breast, ovary or prostate, spreads to other parts of the body, including bone, lungs, liver and brain. It is treatable, but not curable. Though exact statistics are unknown, it’s been estimated that a quarter of a million people are living with metastatic breast cancer in the United States. 

 Metastatic cancer patients are up against a clock – hoping for advances in the treatment of their disease and more time to live well and enjoy their day-to-day lives. For these patients, it’s about time. Time to spend with their families, time to cross something off their bucket list, time to simply drive the carpool or cook a meal. 

 We know that access is critical – not only to care, but to new and innovative treatments, and transparent insurance coverage that is free from barriers. However, data show shocking disparities in this access to care for Black and Latinx patients as compared to their white counterparts. A recent poll found that among U.S. households where anyone has been seriously ill, 24 percent of Black, 18 percent of Latino and 18 percent of white households say they were unable to get medical care for serious illnesses when they needed it in the past year. Moreover, according to the American Cancer Society, Black women are 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women and are twice as likely to die if they are over 50. Similar statistics address other cancers and disparities in the outcomes for Blacks and Latinx patients.

 ALL metastatic cancer patients deserve access to the best care and treatment available that’s also affordable, regardless of their insurance, stage of disease, race or income status.

 The It’s About Time campaign encourages metastatic cancer patients and their families to share their stories in an effort to build broader understanding of this disease, and advocates for increased access to care. It’s about time these voices were heard.

For metastatic cancer patients:

• Access is critical – to care, innovative treatments and transparent insurance coverage that is free from barriers.

• Shared decision-making with their physician that treatment is critical – making decisions supported by evidence with support from the health care system of personalized medical decisions made by a patient and their healthcare team.

• More education and information for patients about their disease and their care is needed.

Share with us using the #ItsAboutTimeMets hashtag, or submit your story via the website.

The It’s About Time campaign launched in 2015 in an effort to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer by elevating the stories and voices of those living with MBC and their families, supported by a variety of partners from across the country. Since then, we have expanded to add the voices of other metastatic cancer patients – because they all face similar challenges and heartaches when it comes to accessing care and treatment. The stories expressed on this site are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the campaign, other storytellers or partners.

It’s About Time is supported by a grant from Pfizer.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Taking action requires little effort, but can have a major impact and make a big difference in the lives of people living with metastatic cancer.