Support for People with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Read our blog, Looking Back Helps Me See the Progress I’ve Made Against Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Counseling in a one-on-one setting or a support group may improve mental well-being and quality of life for people with metastatic breast cancer [102].

These sessions may help:

• Manage feelings of sadness or anxiousness
• Identify symptoms that can be treated by your health care team
• Improve communication with family members and other loved ones
• Reduce feelings of isolation
• Discuss fears about death and dying
• Express your needs and preferences

Social support

Support groups

Social support is an important benefit of group therapy. Support groups can provide a safe place to express feelings with people who understand what you’re going through.

Many people feel an intense bond with other group members and a sense of acceptance through sharing a common experience.

Social support from the group can ease some of the feelings of isolation that can separate you from well-meaning, but anxious friends and family members.

One-on-one counseling

Support groups aren’t for everyone. Support groups focused on emotional support are useful for people who are comfortable expressing their feelings and fears in a group setting.

Some people are more comfortable talking one-on-one with a counselor or therapist.

Everyone has different needs. It’s most important to find a healthy support system that works for you.

Finding a counselor or support group

People with metastatic breast cancer have very different issues from those with early-stage breast cancer. So, a support group for people with metastatic cancer of any kind will be more helpful than a support group for people with early-stage breast cancer.

Your oncologist, nurse or social worker may be able to help you find a counselor, local support group or an online support group. You can also call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email at helpline@komen.org for help finding a support group.

Find a list of resources to help you find a support group in your area.

Online and telephone support groups

Online and telephone support groups are similar to in-person groups. They provide a chance to share information, give and receive social support and gain a sense of empowerment.

These organizations may be helpful:

CancerCare
www.cancercare.org/support_groups/

Metavivor
www.metavivor.org

Share Cancer Support
www.sharecancersupport.org/

Find more organizations that offer online and telephone support.

Care after treatment for the breast cancer ends

At some point, you may decide to stop treatment for the cancer. This can happen when treatment stops showing a benefit or when it greatly affects quality of life.

Once treatment is stopped, reducing any cancer-related symptoms (called palliative care) becomes the main focus of care, rather than a part of treatment.

This can be a very difficult time for you and your family. Your health care provider or hospital can arrange for counseling or a support group to help you during this stage of cancer care.

Learn about hospice care and other types of support. 

Learn about support programs for family, friends and other loved ones.

Resources

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website has information on end-of-life planning and care, including questions to ask your health care provider.

The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has a guide for patients and their families to help make decisions on end-of-life care.

SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES

If you or a loved one needs more information about breast health or breast cancer, contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. All calls are answered by a trained specialist or oncology social worker, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. Se habla español. Komen Patient Navigators can help guide you through the health care system as you go through a breast cancer diagnosis. They can help to remove barriers to high-quality breast care. For example, they can help you with insurance, local resources, communication with health care providers and more. Call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org to learn more about our Patient Navigator program, including eligibility. We offer an online support community through our closed Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer group. The Facebook group provides a place where those living with metastatic breast cancer, and those who love them, can find support, friendship and information. Visit Facebook, search for Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV) Group and request to join the closed group. Our free MBC Impact Series provides people living with metastatic breast cancer and their loved ones a safe, collaborative space to gather information related to MBC and discover practical resources to help make decisions for improved physical and emotional health. To learn more and register visit www.komen.org/mbcseries. Our podcast series Real Pink covers many relevant topics for people living with metastatic breast cancer and caregivers. Our fact sheets, booklets and other education materials offer additional information.

Updated 06/30/22