Quality of Life – Metastatic Breast Cancer
Read our blogs:
- Looking Back Helps Me See the Progress I’ve Made Against Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Improving Quality of Life: Using Palliative Care for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
Watch our MBC Impact Series:
- Ask Your Quality of Life Questions
- Exercise and Lifestyle Interventions to Reduce Symptoms and Improve Quality of Life
- Metastatic Breast Cancer and Sexual Health
What is quality of life?
“Quality of life” describes your overall well-being, including:
- Physical health
- Pain, fatigue and other side effects of treatment or the breast cancer itself
- Mental and emotional health
- Social well-being
- Ability to perform daily roles
- Sexuality and intimacy
Non-health issues, such as financial concerns, are also part of quality of life.
Learn about financial assistance, insurance and other financial issues.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Patient Care Center at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. |
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 an important part of your care. You should never feel you have to endure pain or other side effects.
Talk with your health care team about any issues affecting your quality of life.
Learn about:
- Bone care
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue and insomnia (sleeping problems)
- Fear of dying
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Loss of sex drive
- Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes and vaginal symptoms)
- Pain
- Other symptoms
Learn about financial assistance, insurance and other financial issues.
Supportive care (palliative care)
Supportive care (palliative care) is all the care given to improve the quality of life for people with breast cancer (or any serious health condition). It includes preventing or relieving side effects as well as taking care of your emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Learn more about managing side effects and supportive care.
Ashley Fernandez, living with metastatic breast cancer
“Palliative care is life-changing. They treat the symptoms and the person. It’s not end-of-life care, it’s there to make sure your day-to-day life gets better.”
Susan G. Komen® Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Impact Series |
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Susan G. Komen’s MBC Impact Series provides people living with metastatic breast cancer and their loved ones a safe, collaborative space to gather information related to metastatic breast cancer. You can discover practical resources to help make decisions for improved physical and emotional health. During the free events, you can participate in sessions with leading experts, hear from individuals living with metastatic breast cancer and gather information from wellness experts. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask our speakers questions. To stay up to date about event topics and timing, sign up for our MBC Newsletter here. You can also learn more and register for events by visiting www.komen.org/mbcseries. |
Financial issues
Throughout your care, you may face many practical challenges, including financial issues.
After a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, dealing with insurance and financial issues can be overwhelming.
Whether you need help going through your insurance plan or you need financial assistance for medical and daily life expenses, there are resources to help you and your family.
Learn more about:
Travel, lodging, childcare and eldercare
Getting to your breast cancer treatments can be hard, especially if you don’t live near the hospital or medical center.
There may be resources available if you need a ride to and from treatment or help with childcare or eldercare. Family and friends often want to help but don’t know how. These are great ways for them to get involved. It’s OK to ask for help.
There may be some programs that help with local or long-distance transportation and lodging (if you need a place to stay overnight during treatment).
There may also be programs to help you with childcare or eldercare costs.
Learn more about:
Find other resources that offer social support and practical support.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Patient Care Center at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. |
After treatment for breast cancer ends
At some point, you may decide to stop active treatment for the cancer. This can happen when treatment stops showing a benefit or when treatment greatly affects your quality of life.
Once treatment for the cancer ends, reducing pain and other side effects becomes the focus of care, rather than a part of treatment.
This can be a very difficult time. Your health care provider or hospital can help you find a counselor 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) has information on end-of-life planning and care, including questions you may want to ask your health care provider.
The American Cancer Society also has information on end-of-life planning and care.
SUSAN G. KOMEN® METASTATIC BREAST CANCER SUPPORT RESOURCES |
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Updated 02/19/25
This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.
