There is hope for you and although you’ve been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer your life isn’t over! Metastatic breast cancer is stage four breast cancer that has progressed and spread to various parts of the body such as the bones, liver, brain, and lungs.
READ: 7 Mindfulness Exercises That Can Help Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
Receiving such news from a doctor can be devastating, overwhelming and can take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. You may experience anger, anxiety, doubt and feel hopelessness but remember all these feelings you have are valid and normal.
Many people have been where you are emotionally but here’s the good news, you can live a productive life at this stage. You have plenty of options that you can consider for treatment according to breastcancer.org and under careful consideration of your physician hopefully, you can find a treatment that works best for you.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Here are six treatment options you can consider discussing with your physician to see if they are a good fit for you.
READ: 8 Myths About Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment You Shouldn’t Believe
Surgery treatment
This treatment option can be effective for you if the cancer has not spread to other parts of your body. With this treatment, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove the breast tumor at the first diagnosis and to prevent broken bones or cancer cell blockages to alleviate pain and other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Chemotherapy
If your cancer is growing significantly and is found within your liver or lungs this option could be recommended in combination with other medicines to extend your livelihood.
The breastcancer.org says research has shown that chemotherapy medicine such as: Adriamycin, Doxil, Taxol, Xeloda, Gemzar, Navelbine, Halaven, Cytoxan, Caboplatin, Taxotere, Abraxane, Cisplatin, Ellence, and Ixempra are helping women with metastatic breast cancer live longer.
Cryoablation
Cryoablation is a treatment is for women who may not be good candidates for surgery but don’t let this discourage you from seeking more information about this option. During this procedure, a catheter-type probe is inserted through the skin and to the tumor.