While there have been major advances in treatments for breast cancer in recent years, progress in relation to metastatic breast cancer (mBC) has not kept pace, according to a major new global report that was launched in Dublin.

Metastatic breast cancer refers to when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones or brain. The Global Status of Metastatic Breast Cancer Decade Report, which looks at the challenges faced by mBC patients, was launched by a group of experts in the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland (RCPI) in Dublin.

It revealed that there are many misunderstandings and misconceptions when it comes to mBC. For example, around 30% of women who are initially diagnosed with earlier stages of breast cancer eventually develop metastatic disease. However, in most countries, a majority of people believe that patients who are diagnosed and treated early for breast cancer will not go on to develop mBC.

The report also noted that three in four people believe that mBC is curable, however, it is usually incurable and while some patients will live longer, the average survival rate is just two to three years.

The report emphaised that progress in the field of mBC has not kept pace with the progress made in relation to managing early breast cancer.

Furthermore, it also pointed out that a lot of attention is usually given to early breast cancer and this is the type of breast cancer that the general public tend to have the most knowledge about. In contrast, there is a lack of public knowledge about mBC.

According to Prof John Crown, a consultant medical oncologist in St Vincent's University Hospital, ‘society needs to recognise the unique needs of these women who will live every remaining day of their lives under the shadow of this serious illness'.

"While mBC remains a usually incurable disease, most patients are now achieving years of survival. With this expectation of longer life come special challenges. The physical toll of the illness and it treatment is frequently compounded by the psychological effects of loss of independence, change in body image, and an uncertain future.

"While newer, less toxic treatments offer the promise of longer and better life, more also needs to be done to provide support for a condition which can be notoriously isolating and indeed stigmatising," he commented.

Also commentng on the report, Tara Byrne of patient advocate organisation, Europa Donna Ireland, emphasised that specialist breast units need to address mBC ‘in a coordinated way'.

"From the time of diagnosis of mBC, patients should be offered appropriate psychosocial and supporting care as routine and this care should be personalised to meet the needs of individual patients," she insisted.

The report was developed by Pfizer in collaboration with the European School of Oncology.