The National Breast Cancer Foundation explains that metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has been spread to other parts of the body, typically, the lungs, liver, bones, or the brain. It is also classified as Stage IV breast cancer.
According to the American Society of Oncology (ASCO), “This year, an estimated 271,270 (268,600 women and 2, 670 men) in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer….About 6% of women have metastatic breast cancer when they are first diagnosed….Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in women. It is estimated that 42,260 people (41,760 women and 500 men) will die from breast cancer this year. Metastatic breast cancer will cause the vast majority of those deaths.”
“Any type of breast cancer can metastasize,” reports ASCO. The risk factors for metastasis depends on several factors, such as:
- Type of breast cancer.
- How the cancer grows.
- The stage of the cancer when first diagnosed.
The signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer often depend on where the cancer has spread to. Seeking medical attention if you are unsure of any changes in your body is critical. It is also wise to keep your regular appointments with your healthcare provider because early detection is the key to preventing further complications. To schedule an appointment at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer-metastatic/statistics
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/metastatic-breast-cancer