Metastatic breast cancer and fear of cancer progression

Cosette

Feeling anxious and frightened about breast cancer spreading further is common for people who have metastatic breast cancer. Many people worry what will happen if their treatment needs to change or what treatment options will be available to them if their cancer spreads. 

We've created a video series about the fear of cancer progression. While fear of cancer progressing may never fade, there are ways to manage it. 

To see the videos, click here: https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/fear-of-cancer-progression/

And then come back and talk to us. What is it like for you? How do you cope? Are these kinds of videos helpful. We want to hear from you.

We acknowledge that this topic and these videos can be very confronting and triggering. So, I also want to remind our members living with metastatic breast cancer that BCNA provides free and confidential, professional, one-on-one counselling support to women and men living with metastatic breast cancer, and their families. To learn more and book an appointment, click here.

pacwood

I just watched Gillian and Fran's video's. Gillian speaks so well about living your life in the here and now and trying to manage the anxiety and fear of the disease. I believe it is all about finding that balance in life. For me sometimes that balance comes unstuck especially around "scanxiety"!!!  I really think this word needs to get into the dictionary!!!
But generally I try to live my life best I can even with the chemo and doctors visits.
Fran is so reassuring in that explaining how treatment for metastatic disease is coming along and women and men are generally having longer and better quality of life. This makes me hopeful that one day we will have a cure are metastatic disease will have a cure.
I cant fix my disease but Im going to try and get the best I can from life! Bucketlist items are the norm in our household, especially as I have 3 young children (9,12 and14) who I really want to see into adulthood.  We plan for the future, and live life to the fullest. Next bucketlist item is a cruise to New Caladonia!
xx Christie

wendy55

I too, have just watched the two videos - what can i say - there is so much information there, spoken so eloquently,giving us all the information we need in a way that we can understand,i would like to say a very BIG thank you to BCNA for putting all of this together, I have lived with metastatic breast cancer for nearly 4 years now, it was my first diagnosis, and  all a bit of a blur , but with so much support around me from then and ongoing i know that i will be able to live my life my way and have already achieved several milestones, my partner and i owner built a new home for my son and granddaughter to have as their forever home so that they will always have a roof over their heads, this was so very important to me and my peace of mind, my granddaughter turned 16 last friday, i bought her a little car and took her to sit her Ls which she passed, the next milestone is being there this october when my son marries and my grandaughter will have "the mum" she has so needed for many years,then it will be my time and my partner and i will plan a holiday, all the while just living life and in the moment, treatment is on going and a everyday part of our lives, it wasnt part of our plan for this to happen but it has so there comes a time at which you just have to accept it and do as much as you can for as long as you can - life is good - i have the most wonderful partner and family and i will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to continue on, 

wendy 

Southgirl

I have also just watched the videos, and I agree - they are excellent.  Both Gillian and Fran are so calm and logical.  Gillian had such good advice about living in the moment, and the need to develop strategies to do that.  Fran obviously has so much wisdom and experience treating MBC, and is very reassuring in the videos.  I liked her analogy about different treatments being stepping stones along a path - also dealing with the scan anxiety.  I found the videos very empowering and helpful.  I live in a regional area of NSW, and I have never met anyone else with Metastatic Breast Cancer since my diagnosis six months ago.  I do have a wonderful Breast Care Nurse, who gives me great support, but I am so grateful to BCNA and this forum for all the information and the opportunity to connect with other people in the same boat!

Pamelamary

Fran Boyle is always such good value! Bravo Gillian - brave and honest, pinpointing some useful "survival" tactics. Given she speaks of the importance of peer support, remember Breacan - offering real time connection with women in a similar situation.

Anne94

I just watched the videos. These are really very reassuring for the newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. 
I was diagnosed stage IV straight up, and I found it difficult to find other women who were like me. To gather information about how they have managed etc. 
Every resource helps. 

wendy_h67

I enjoyed watching the videos as I think hearing from another person with metastic breast cancer can be supportive,  especially when they seem to be full of hope for the future. Sometimes you can feel very alone as I know a few people with early breast cancer but very few with metastatic breast cancer.  One thing I took on board, was to LIVE each day as they come and not to worry too much about the future, especially when one treatment starts to fail, there is  usually another drug to take its place.  I have been living with bone mets for 5 years and sometimes I wonder how much longer I have, but I think how fortunate I am to have reach 70 years. I have seen my children grow up and now my grandchildren are all at school. I have a very loving and supportive husband, who is always there for me.  I am due for scans next month and I think it's only normal to have scan anxiety but I try not to waste too much energy feeling anxious and think about the things that give me pleasure in life. So tomorrow I am going to have lunch with a good friend which I'm looking forward too.  Wendy h 

brightspace

A wonderful resource  thankyou bcna