Advocating for yourself and “knowing your normal” is important at any stage of breast cancer — even more so with advanced stage, metastatic breast cancer. 

Paying attention to your body, and speaking up when something feels off, is the best thing you can do for yourself. 

Below are 5 actionable ways to empower yourself, compiled by Toyree Davis, an Oncology Nurse Practitioner (MSN, NP) and our in-house medical reviewer. These tips are meant to help you navigate your diagnosis, treatment path, communicate effectively with your care team, and find the support you need. 

1. Know Your Family History

It is important to know your personal and family history for your provider to discuss your treatment options with you. 

This includes:

• Type of breast cancer (biomarker status)
• Location
• Tumor mutation testing (to look for specific tumor “genetics”)
• Tumor burden testing (for multiple mutation findings)
• Next-generation sequencing/NGS testing (looks at the DNA of the tumor)
• Blood tests like liquid biopsy and tumor markers (which look for markers or cancer cells in the blood). 

Keep up with your records, especially if you have seen multiple providers, and repeat any genetic/biomarker testing with any new metastatic finding (which may deviate from your original diagnosis).

2. Ask about Treatment Options

Become comfortable approaching your provider with treatment options you think you may be eligible for, including clinical trials. Be aware that changing treatments might become necessary as the disease progresses. 

3. Ask about Quality of Life Impact

Feel free to always ask how treatments will possibly affect your quality of life and functionality especially since most of these treatments will be taken on a daily or maintenance frequency until a change in treatment is needed or no longer needed. All treatments have side effects that may affect you, most of them can be managed, however, it is something to consider. You may want to have a say in taking an oral medication at home or an infusion that requires you to come to the clinic more often. 

4. Expect Your Team to Grow

Know your team may grow beyond just a medical oncologist. You may need additional support, possibly including a nurse practitioner, radiation oncologist, palliative care team (to help manage side effects or pain), oncology pharmacist, dieticians, physical/occupational/lymphedema therapist, psychiatrist, social workers/counselors, and research team. 

5. Take Advantage of Mental Health Services

Always seek resources like certified cancer counselors and your support team to help navigate these normal but difficult feelings.

For even more encouragement, don’t miss our Metastatic Breast Cancer 101 article, authored by a thriver who knows exactly what you’re going through.