What are experiences like for people with breast cancer that has spread to the bones?
A MyBCTeam member named Becky shared her experience with HER2-positive breast cancer that metastasized to her bones. She had been diligently following her treatment regimen with regular tests every few months when she started experiencing Show Full Answer
What are experiences like for people with breast cancer that has spread to the bones?
A MyBCTeam member named Becky shared her experience with HER2-positive breast cancer that metastasized to her bones. She had been diligently following her treatment regimen with regular tests every few months when she started experiencing severe bone and back pain.
At first, she thought it might be muscle pain from activities like bike riding, so she initially saw her general practitioner who prescribed muscle relaxers. However, the pain became so severe that she left her teaching job in a wheelchair because she couldn't walk.
When she visited her oncologist, tests revealed the cancer had spread to her bones. This was unexpected and life-changing - she realized she would need daily medication for the rest of her life. She had to leave her full-time teaching position due to pain and fatigue from both the condition and treatments.
Becky tried radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but experienced difficult side effects including nausea and diarrhea. Working closely with her oncologist, she was able to find a treatment regimen that worked better for her. Her doctor was supportive of letting her make her own decisions about treatment options.
Her key advice: If you experience new symptoms like headaches or back pain after treatment, go directly to your oncologist first rather than your general doctor for proper evaluation. Other MyBCTeam members have shared similar concerns about bone metastasis. One member wrote about being diagnosed with cancer that had spread to their liver and lung, experiencing severe bone pain that would wake them up at night. Despite the fear and difficulty of managing treatment as a single parent, they expressed determination to keep fighting.
Bone metastasis is common with breast cancer - more than 50 percent of people with stage 4 breast cancer experience it. The spine is one of the most frequently affected areas, which can cause back pain. Hip pain from cancer in the pelvic bones or thigh bone is also common.
While metastatic breast cancer can't be cured, new treatment options are helping people live longer than ever. Many members emphasize taking things one day at a time and finding hope in small moments with family and loved ones.
December 2, 2025
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