Read our blog, Looking Back Helps Me See the Progress I’ve Made Against Metastatic Breast Cancer.

What is quality of life?

“Quality of life” describes your overall well-being, including:

• Emotional and physical health
• Ability to perform daily roles
• Sexuality and intimacy
• Pain, fatigue and other side effects of treatment or the breast cancer itself

Non-health issues (such as financial concerns) are also part of quality of life.

Learn about financial assistance, insurance and other financial issues.

Quality of life issues

Although important for everyone with breast cancer, quality of life issues are especially important for people with metastatic breast cancer.

Managing side effects and other issues that affect your quality of life is a main part of your care. You should never feel you have to endure pain or other side effects.

Talk with your health care provider about any issues affecting your quality of life.

Learn about:

• Bone care
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue and sleeping problems (insomnia)
• Fear of dying
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Managing pain
• Managing other symptoms

After treatment for breast cancer ends

At some point, you may decide to stop active treatments for the cancer. This can happen when treatment stops showing a benefit or when it greatly affects your quality of life.

Once treatment is stopped, reducing pain and other side effects becomes the main focus of care, rather than just a part of treatment.

This can be a very difficult time. Your health care provider or hospital can arrange for counseling or a support group.

Hospice care can make this later stage of care as comfortable as possible.

Learn about support groups, hospice care and other types of support.

Resources

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website has information on end-of-life planning and care, including questions to ask your health care provider.

The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has a guide for patients and their families to help make decisions on end-of-life care.

Susan G. Komen® Support Resources

If you or a loved one needs more information about breast health or breast cancer, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636). All calls are answered by a trained specialist or oncology social worker in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. You can also email the helpline at helpline@komen.org. We offer an online support community through our closed Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer group. The Facebook group provides a place where those living with metastatic breast cancer, and those who love them, can find support, friendship and information. Visit Facebook, search for Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV) Group and request to join the closed group. Our free monthly MBC Impact Series provides people living with metastatic breast cancer and their loved ones a safe, collaborative space to gather information related to MBC and discover practical resources to help make decisions for improved physical and emotional health. To learn more and register visit https://komen.org/mbcseries. Our podcast series Real Pink covers many relevant topics for people living with metastatic breast cancer and caregivers. Our Family and Friends section has detailed information and resources for loved ones. Our fact sheets, booklets and other education materials offer additional information.

Learn more about what Komen is doing to help people with metastatic breast cancer.

Updated 09/27/21