8 Myths About Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment You Shouldn't Believe

Scouring the internet about health conditions can be overwhelming at times. You may come across a vast amount of information and have a hard time deciphering what's fact and what's fiction. Here are 8 myths about metastatic breast cancer that you shouldn't believe.

1. It can't be treated

Metastatic breast cancer often gets confused with terminal cancer. In terminal cancer, treatment is no longer effective. Instead, the treatment plan is centered around making the patient as comfortable as possible. Metastatic breast cancer, on the other hand, isn't curable, but can be effectively treated. In fact, there are a range of treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, endocrine (hormone-blocking) therapy, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy that can improve your prognosis.

“You can’t eliminate the cancer, but you can slow down the progression of the disease,” says David Spiegel, M.D., a proessor at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, CA.

2. Treatment is the same as early-stage breast cancer

Although the same treatments may be used, the ultimate goal is not the same. In early-stage breast cancer, the goal is to eliminate all cancer cells and prevent the cancer from returning. However, in metastatic breast cancer, the goal is to manage the cancer and its side effects because there is no cure.

3. More aggressive treatment is needed

Early-stage breast cancer is actually treated more aggressively because doctors want to reduce the risk of recurrence as much as possible. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer, on the other hand, is used as long as a patient can tolerate it before doctors move onto the next treatment.

4. You didn't get the treatment right the first time

This is completely false. Unfortunately anyone who had Stage I, II, or III breast cancer has a possibility of developing metastatic breast cancer (or Stage IV breast cancer) no matter what treatment they received. Nearly 30% of patients diagnosed with early-stage cancer will develop metastatic breast cancer at some point. “Nothing we can do can one-hundred percent guarantee the cancer won’t ever come back,” says Fauzia Riaz, M.D., clinical assistant professor of oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

5. Clinical trials are risky

There's a common misconception that patients that attend clinical trials receive placebos or no treatment at all. However, Dr. Speigel says if you're not receiving the treatment that is being tested, “you will get what is the best standard of care for the cancer you have.” Of course, there are risks, but it is completely your decision whether or not you want to participate.

6. Treatments are the same for everyone

The treatment team your medical team comes up with will be personalized for you depending on the characteristics of your cancer and how well different treatments work for you. For example, women that test positive for hormone receptors may receive hormone-blocking treatments.

Your doctor may also use genetic tests, age, overall health, and other medical conditions to determine which treatment is best for you.

“We look at what sort of things are important to the patient,” Dr. Riaz adds. For example, the location of the treatment facility is extremely important to some patients. For this reason, a doctor may prescribe a patient an oral medication instead of an infusion if they live far from the treatment facility.

7. Your life will be put on hold

Will you still be able to enjoy family, travel, or work? The short answer is yes, but ultimately what you can do will be determined specifically by how you are responding to treatment. Some patients are able to work full-time, while others aren't. Talk with your care team. They should be able to work with you to build a treatment plan that accommodates your schedule.

“Our aim is to support patients living their lives as normally as possible,” Dr. Riaz adds.

8. You'll feel sick after treatment

Each treatment has different side effects that will depend on the medicine or procedure and your response to it. The good news is that side effects are managed far better than they were in the past.

“We’re much better at treating certain side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, and not all treatments cause hair loss,” Dr. Riaz points out. She says the goal with these treatments is to balance effectiveness with side effects so “people are able to maintain their quality of life."

You may hear things over the course of your journey with metastatic breast cancer that may cause you to question what is real and what is fiction, but the best thing to do is talk with your healthcare provider. They can help you debunk these myths, answer your questions and point you to the right resources.

For family and friends that spread questionable information, Dr. Spiegel suggests saying, “I have an excellent team of physicians helping me. I’ll ask them, but they’re keeping me informed about the best treatments for me.”