Metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as stage 4 breast cancer, happens when breast cancer cells spread to another part of the body. Receiving an MBC diagnosis can be difficult because it is the most advanced stage of breast cancer.

With ongoing treatment, an uncertain prognosis (outlook), and anxiety about end of life, living MBC often requires a higher level of emotional, mental, social, and practical support than earlier stages of breast cancer.

Here are a few resources and tips that may help.

Emotional and Mental Health Support

Coping with MBC can be extremely difficult. “Before metastatic breast cancer, I was free of cancer for many years. When I was first diagnosed, I was suicidal,” one MyBCTeam member shared.

Getting professional mental health support is critical if you feel hopeless. But surrounding yourself with supportive peers can also help. The MyBCTeam member who thought about ending their life said, “Love from family and friends, and medication, got me out of that dark place.”

Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online.

Support Groups

A support group gives you a safe place to voice your feelings and learn from people with MBC. You can meet people who have lived with MBC for different lengths of time and have been through different types of treatments. They can show you what’s possible with treatment while also holding space for all your grief and fear.

MBC support groups can meet in person or online. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Group on MyBCTeam is an online space where people with MBC can support one another. Other groups exist on platforms like Facebook, and some organizations, such as Breastcancer.org, host virtual meetups through video calling platforms.

Your care team can tell you about nearby breast cancer support groups that meet in person.

Peer Mentoring

Some cancer survivors volunteer to become peer mentors in order to share their insights with people who have just learned their disease outcome.

A peer mentor can be a source of inspiration, hope, and knowledge throughout your cancer journey. They can help you practice coping strategies, offer tips for healthcare visits, and lend a sympathetic ear when it feels like no one else understands.

Some cancer centers offer peer mentors for caregivers too. Talk to your care team to get connected with a peer mentor.

Professional Counseling

Sometimes intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, or fear can affect sleep, appetite, decision-making, and overall well-being. When emotions and thoughts disrupt daily life, it can be helpful to talk to a licensed mental health professional. They can teach you healthy coping skills to improve how you feel.

There are several types of mental health professionals who provide counseling:

• Psychiatrists — These are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication for anxiety or depression, in case you need it.
• Psychologists — These are individuals who hold master’s or doctoral degrees in psychology. They usually can’t prescribe medication.
• Social workers — These are people who’ve earned a master’s degree in social work. Social workers also help coordinate other aspects of cancer care.

Counseling can be one-on-one, group, or family sessions. Your care team can recommend the best type of support for you.

Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is sometimes easier said than done when you have MBC. Treatment can be physically and emotionally draining, and you may already have people caring for you. What else is there to do?

Self-care can look different for everyone, but here are some common themes that can improve your quality of life.

Managing Stress

MBC is a challenging diagnosis. You may have a lot of concerns and worries, but too much stress can slow the healing process by weakening the immune system.

Dealing with stress often requires several strategies. You might see a professional counselor for cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy. Medications may be recommended if you experience significant anxiety or depression. Some people benefit from talking to spiritual leaders, getting massages, taking walks in nature, or trying relaxing activities like painting.

Eating Well

What you eat can affect how you feel and how well you heal. While there’s no foolproof cancer diet that works for everyone, nutritionists often recommend getting plenty of fiber, eating whole foods, and avoiding too much sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, and alcohol.

Finding Joy

Living with MBC can feel like walking around with a rain cloud over your head. It puts a damper on everyday activities, but it doesn’t have to completely rob you of little moments of happiness and joy.

Find activities that make you happy, and do them often. Here are some ideas:

• Routinely call friends and family members.
• Invite loved ones over for a movie, trivia, or board game.
• Unleash your creativity through arts and crafts.
• Give back to the cancer care community through fundraisers or support groups.

Practical Resources: Financial, Transportation, and More

Many cancer charities are ready to help pay for the cost of care. But how can you apply for assistance when you don’t know what’s out there?

That’s where a patient navigator or oncology social worker comes in. It’s their job to connect you to resources that can make your MBC journey a little easier and less expensive.

Many cancer centers have patient navigators or oncology social workers on staff. If not, your care team can refer you to someone. Here are some of the ways they can help.

Financial Assistance

MBC treatment can be ongoing, and costs can add up quickly. Even people with good health insurance coverage may struggle to pay for the cost of medication copays, travel, lodging, food, or time off work.

In some cases, financial stress can cause people to skip medication doses or appointments in an effort to save money.

Fortunately, several nonprofits offer financial assistance to people with MBC, such as:

• Susan G. Komen Foundation
• CancerCare
• Patient Advocate Foundation
• Pink Fund

You may also want to work with a financial advisor and a lawyer. They can tell you which government benefits you may be eligible for, what laws protect people in your situation, and how to stretch your budget. And although it’s tough to think about, they can also assist with end-of-life planning.

Insurance Guidance

Health insurance can be confusing. Are you being charged for something that should be covered? Are there benefits you aren’t tapping into? Can you appeal a coverage denial? You don’t need the extra stress and uncertainty when you’re being treated for MBC.

Your care team should be able to connect you to a financial navigator who can answer all your health insurance questions. They’ll help maximize your insurance benefits and find grants, subsidies, or savings programs to fill in the gaps.

If needed, you can also connect to financial navigators through charities like the Patient Advocate Foundation and CancerCare.

Transportation and Lodging

When you don’t live near a cancer center, transportation and lodging costs can eat into your budget. Housing programs, flight services, and transportation grants may help keep costs low.

Here are a few examples of what’s available. Your care team can help you find more.

• Southwest Airlines Medical Flight Grants
• LifeLine Pilots
• CancerCare
• Extended Stay America
• Hosts for Humanity

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What resources have helped you in your journey with MBC? Let others know in the comments below.