Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13 is a time to gain and spread knowledge of what sufferers are up against and how society can help.

Metastatic means that what began as a case of early-stage breast cancer has metastasized, or spread to other organs (lungs, bones, etc) outside the breasts, and is now considered to be stage four cancer.

At this point the only care option is to treat the advanced cancer and its side effects, including anxiety; there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer as of this writing. Treatments may include surgeries and chemotherapy, as well as possible clinical trials of new drugs, which along with other palliative care can help improve quality of life and lengthen life span itself.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and presents an opportunity for us to increase awareness and visibility for those who are championing and fighting for scientific advances.