Metastatic breast cancer and fear of cancer progression

Feeling anxious and frightened about breast cancer spreading further is common for people who have metastatic breast cancer. Many people worry what will happen if their treatment needs to change or what treatment options will be available to them if their cancer continues to grow and spread. These anxieties and fears can be collectively termed “fear of cancer progression.” 

While metastatic breast cancer may not go away completely, treatment may control it for a long time, sometimes for many years. If one treatment stops working, there is usually another to try. New treatments are being developed and tested through clinical trials all the time. 

Living with metastatic breast cancer 

Living with metastatic breast cancer brings many challenges. While the fear of cancer progressing may never fade, anxiety of what the future may hold is a reality for many people. Importantly, there are ways to manage these feelings and live as well as possible.  

The following tips have been suggested from people who are living with metastatic breast cancer: 

• Stay informed about your treatment and ask questions so that you understand how the treatment works, including common side effects and ways to manage them. 
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and nutritious diet. 
• Seek professional assistance from your GP or a psychologist or counsellor so that you can openly express your feelings and develop strategies to manage fears and concerns. 
• Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, tai chi or yoga to help manage anxious thoughts. 
• Take a family member or close friend to specialist appointments for support. 
• Organise any blood tests or scans that are needed prior to medical appointments (about a week before the appointment to allow enough time for the results to be available). 

In this video, BCNA member Gillian talks about her experience of living with metastatic breast cancer. She shares what she’s learned about several topics, including:  

• the reality of being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 
• how she copes with disease progression 
• the strategies she has used to manage anxiety 
• the support that has helped her to continue to live well. 

Advice from health professionals 

We asked leading health professionals to share some information about fear of cancer progression and some things you might like to try to help you manage it. 

In the following videos, Dr. Carrie Lethborg, oncology social worker talks about ways to manage fear of cancer progression. Carrie has more than 20 years’ experience supporting people with cancer and their families. 

Dr. Lethborg talks about the common feelings of fear and uncertainty following a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. 

It is common to feel scared and anxious about the future, especially when you have metastatic breast cancer. In this video, Dr. Lethborg talks about how professional support can help to manage fear of cancer progression. 

Dr. Lethborg gives some practical advice on where family members can seek support after hearing about a loved one's cancer progression. 

Connect with others who understand 

It can be difficult to find someone to talk to about what it is like to live with metastatic breast cancer. If you would like to share your thoughts and feelings with others in a similar situation to you there is a private metastatic breast cancer group in BCNA’s Online Network that you might like to join.