Treatment

Goals of Treatment

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is different from early-stage breast cancer. It is treated as a long-term illness, meaning you will need ongoing care and monitoring for life. While there is no cure, many treatments can help manage the cancer and prolong your life.

The main goals of treatment are to:

• Slow or stop the cancer’s growth
• Prevent it from spreading
• Manage symptoms so you can feel as well as possible

What to Expect with Treatment

Everyone responds to treatment differently. Some treatments may work for a long time, while others may stop working after only a few doses or cause side effects that are difficult to manage. If that happens, your healthcare team will help you explore new options that are right for your cancer type. These might include another approved drug, a newly funded therapy, or participation in a clinical trial.

Sometimes, you and your doctor may choose to take a short break from treatment. This might be to help manage side effects, give your body a rest, or allow time for travel or special events.

Your treatment plan depends on:

• The type of breast cancer you have (such as hormone receptor (HR) or HER2 status, or BRCA mutations)
• Where the cancer has spread
• Your age, menopausal status, and whether you have symptoms
• Any previous treatments you have had
• Your overall health and personal goals

Know Your Type

Some treatments work best for specific cancer types. Understanding your type of mBC can help guide treatment decisions. This includes knowing:

• If the cancer uses hormones to grow (HR status)
• If it makes too much of the HER2 protein
• If you have inherited gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2

To learn more about your subtype visit our Subtypes of Breast Cancer section.

The Canadian Cancer Society has a database that can be used to find local support services in your area. You can access it below:

Our Stories

More Stories

Tell Us your Story