Helpful video from Dana Farber on Metastastic Breast Cancer

If you are one of those with Mestastatic Breast Cancer, you may feel little attention is paid to you.  Those  with this type of cancer often say they  feel forgotten, ignored, and not enough care or attention is paid to their problems.

Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer cells spread from the place where the cancer started to other parts of the body. This can be particularly distressing,when you are hoping you are in remission,  and it is every cancer patient’s nightmare.  It doesn’t help when, second time round, you find you aren’t allocated a breast care nurse, and patients talk of being ‘ignored’.

So when Dana Farber sent details of the work the MBCN (Metastastic Breast Cancer Network] is doing to raise awareness, it is nice to realise that a huge amount is being done behind the scenes to bring this type of cancer to people’s awareness.

Dana Farber Hospital in USA is constantly in the top four of hospitals when doctors, professionals and patients are asked to recommend the best cancer treatment centre in the world.  Recently they have made an excellent video about this type of cancer, and their helpful press office has sent me the details:

http://www.mbcnetwork.org/video/ericwebversion2.html

Metastastic Breast Cancer Network is the proactive metastatic voice in the breast cancer community, and their website is extremely interesting.  If you are interested in Clinical Trials, many on-going in the USA are listed on this website – just click on appropriate one for more information.  I am trying to find out similar information for UK,  Europe, etc. so watch this space!

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN) seeks to change the way metastatic breast cancer is viewed by the breast cancer community and the public at large, and if you live in the USA, is calling for volunteers to spread the word.  They say “we are dedicated to raising awareness of metastatic breast cancer, giving those living with the disease a greater voice and visibility in the breast cancer community.

If you live outside the USA do go on their website and sign up for their newsletter – they too are working to make MBC more aware around the world.  There is nothing to stop you contacting them and asking to be informed of trials they run – they are very keen to help, and make people more aware.

MBCN programs:

* help ease fear of the disease and end the experience of isolation; help those living with the disease learn how to be their own advocate through providing education and information on treatments, and coping with treatments; educate and inform those living with the disease, as well as the public at large, regarding the realities of metastatic breast cancer.

On the same site there is also a video that shows Representative Frank Pallone proposing that October 9th 2OO9 be declared National Metastastic Breast Cancer Awareness Day; you will hear the Representative say how important it is for those with this cancer be supported, and feel supported.

For more information from Dana Farber, including current research being overseen by Dr. Ian Krop, click on http://www.dana-farber.org/abo/news/press/2009/antibody-guided-drug-shows-encouraging-activity-in-metastatic-breast-cancer.html

Tagged as: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Metastasis, United States