Being in treatment for life
- Medical Review: Kamel Abou Hussein, MD
There are many people who go through early-stage breast cancer treatment and never have to deal with it again. However, for about 20-30% of people, breast cancer can return in a distant part of the body. This can happen after a short time or many years later.
About 6% of people diagnosed with breast cancer have stage IV metastatic disease from the start, sometimes called de novo metastatic breast cancer.
A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer is different because it usually means living with breast cancer as a long‑term condition. Unlike earlier‑stage breast cancer, treatments for metastatic breast cancer are not expected to cure the disease. Instead, the goal is to control the cancer for as long as possible while helping you maintain a good quality of life.
Long-term treatmentOver time, your doctor will work with you to choose treatments that slow or shrink the cancer and prevent it from spreading while also managing your symptoms and side effects. Metastatic breast cancer treatments can include:
Surgery and radiation, which are common in early‑stage breast cancer, are used less often in metastatic disease and are usually recommended to relieve symptoms or prevent complications. Your treatment plan will likely change if the cancer grows or spreads. Your care team may talk with you about whether the cancer is growing, shrinking, or staying the same. While metastatic breast cancer is not considered curable, it is possible to experience periods in which the cancer does not grow and is considered stable. At times, scans and tests may show no signs of active cancer, sometimes called “no evidence of disease” or NED. If a treatment stops working, there are often other options to consider. While treating the cancer is important, you and your doctors may also want to think about what you are willing to try and what you aren’t, so that you continue living the way you want to live. Staying involved in everyday activities and the things that bring you joy is an important part of your overall well‑being. |
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Reviewed and updated: April 4, 2026
Reviewed by: Kamel Abou Hussein, MD
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Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.