While familiarity with breast cancer is relatively high, many women have never heard of metastatic breast cancer or are unaware what the term means, a new survey has revealed.

Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. It refers to when the disease has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones or brain. Around 30% of women who are initially diagnosed with earlier stage breast cancer eventually develop metastatic disease.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 women are living with metastatic breast cancer at any one time in Ireland.

The findings of the survey were contained in a new report, A Story Half Told, which highlights the lack of awareness and misconceptions that surround metastatic breast cancer.

According to the results, one in four women has not heard of metastatic breast cancer, despite the fact that general familiarity with breast cancer is high. A further one in four have heard of it, but do know what the term means.

Meanwhile, 95% of women believe that if breast cancer is diagnosed and treated in the early stages, it can be cured. However the reality is that early detection does not help those with metastatic breast cancer. While some can live for longer, the average survival is just two to three years.

"Metastatic breast cancer is a common, treatable, life-threatening, life-limiting illness. The needs of patients are distinct from those of patients with early stage breast cancer. Improved treatment is resulting in longer survival and improved quality of life, however the healthcare system needs to do more to improve outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer," commented Prof John Crown, a consultant medical oncologist at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin.

A Story Half Told was launched in conjunction with a number of cancer support groups, including the Irish Cancer Society, the Marie Keating Foundation and Europa Donna Ireland.

"A Story Half Told is important because it raises awareness of the vital issues and misconceptions that women with metastatic breast cancer experience. Our hope for the future is that no woman living with this will feel isolated, unsupported or lacking in knowledge about their disease," commented Naomi Fitzgibbon of the Irish Cancer Society.

This was backed up by Tara Byrne of Europa Donna Ireland, who noted that the experiences of women affected by this disease ‘are rarely spoken about' and this only ‘compounds the sense of isolation and hopelessness felt by many'.

A Story Half Told is a global initiative from Pfizer. For more information, click here

For more on the Irish Cancer Society, click here
For more on the Marie Keating Foundation, click here
For more on Europa Donna Ireland, click here