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Metastatic Breast Cancer Look inside for details on accessing alternative options Vocabulary to Know Options to Access Alternative and Emerging Treatment Options Helpful Resources and Federal Adjuvant Therapy: workplace Researchers today are discovering A clinical trial may require travel so it This option allows patients access to Advanced BC.org National Cancer Institute Treatment given after removing protections. new treatment options that target specific is important to consider transportation, effective investigational drugs that are in www.advancedbc.org www.cancer.gov the cancer with surgery. genetic changes in cancer cells. These lodging and food expenses. Some clinical Phase 3 or beyond of the clinical trial stage. www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrails BC Mets.org BRCA: new protocols can provide you and your trials will cover those expenses but only if Although these treatment options may not www.bcmets.org Breast Cancer susceptibility genes physician the ability to customize treatment requested by the patient. If you are working yet have been approved by the Food and National Underinsured make proteins that help control cell based on your unique tumor type and while accessing treatment via clinical Drug Administration, to access, there must Resource Directory Breast Cancer Trials growth. If you have a family history genetic mutations. This method has also trials, consider activating any workplace be reasonable evidence that the risk of www.patientadvocate.org/ Metastatic Breast www.breastcancertrials.org of breast or ovarian cancer genetic been found to reduce exposure to ineffective protections you may be eligible for, the drug is not greater than the risk from underinsured or less effective treatment protocols. including protected leave under the Family the disease and that the drug will prolong testing can identify your chances of BreastCancer.org Medical & Leave Act and applying for short- survival or improve your quality of life. Nueva Vida developing those cancers. www.breastcancer.org Cancer Guide Clinical Trials – Clinical trials offer the and long-term Disability benefits to protect www.nueva-vida.org ability to access an emerging treatment In this situation, your insurance may not Estrogen Receptor: your income during extended absences Cancer and Careers option otherwise unavailable outside of cover the cost of the treatment or drugs to Patient Resources, Inc. A protein found inside some from work. www.cancerandcareers.org www.patientresource.com/ cancer cells that is stimulated by the trial. Clinical trials are conducted in address any side effects. You may find it Metastatic_Breast.aspx the hormone estrogen and is a series of steps, called phases and many Accessing Investigational Drugs - If you helpful to discuss treatment options and Cancer Care dependent upon estrogen to times contain medication that has shown do not qualify for a clinical trial, you may financial obligations with your insurance www.cancercare.org Pink Link Breast Cancer grow. Also called ER. promising results in research. consider requesting treatment through an company or case manager if considering Social Network “Expanded Access” program (also known an Expanded Access program. Cancer Connect www.pink-link.org Expanded Access: as “compassionate use”). www.cancerconnect.org A program started by the FDA Caring for Your Emotional Side Breast cancer can happen to anyone, This guide delivers expert advice specifically for Metastatic Breast Cancer SHARE that allows certain promising Cancer Support Community regardless of whether they are old or www.sharecancersupport.org earning that you have metastatic breast cancer can patients to help avoid common insurance and care barriers. investigational therapies to be made www.cancersupportcommunity.org young, male or female, or whether be an overwhelming experience – one that leaves you available to people with serious or or not they have high or low risk Sharsheret feeling numb, frightened, vulnerable and alone even life-threatening illnesses without FORCE: Facing Our Risk of L factors. Breast cancer is considered Genetic and Genomic Testing www.sharsheret.org when you are surrounded by family and friends. other treatment options, before Cancer Empowered Metastatic, or Stage 4, when there is ncorporating knowledge specific your risk for developing a particular disease treatment found effective against reducing www.facingourrisk.org being formally approved for use. Sisters’ Network This is a time where you need to put yourself first. evidence cancer cells have spread to Engaging With Your Medical Team to the individual genetic makeup or type of cancer. This analysis of your or killing that cellular behavior. Many times www.sistersnetworkinc.org Metastatic breast cancer is treatable even if not curable. areas outside the breast or nearby Food and Drug in your body as well as your exact individual DNA can detect inheritable genes genomic testing also identifies ineffective Know Your Breast Cancer I Become informed about all of your treatment options, lymph nodes. Metastatic breast hen faced with a metastatic breast • Ask your provider to show you diagrams Administration (FDA): cancer as part of your treatment plan and chromosomes that have been found treatment options that can be avoided www.knowyourbreastcancer.com Susan G. Komen and have a clear head when you are making decisions cancer patients are likely to have cancer diagnosis or a recurrence or drawings that may help increase An agency in the federal can be highly beneficial and lend itself to be linked to a higher risk for hereditary by your doctor. Talk to your insurance ww5.komen.org regarding how you want to proceed. symptoms that affect other organs of breast cancer, there are many your understanding. government responsible for Lazarex Cancer Foundation W to more informed and targeted decisions disorders. For example, a defective BRCA company for coverage details about whether of the body, including the bones, aspects to consider during your wellness www.lazarex.org ensuring drugs, medical devices, on care. This concept, called “personalized (breast cancer) gene increases the odds that your plan will cover genomic testing related Triple Negative Breast Learn more about your treatment team by It’s important to know that feeling stressed and anxious is lungs, liver or brain, where the journey, such as available treatment options and equipment are safe for use in medicine” is a rapidly developing field of you will be susceptible to breast or ovarian to your breast cancer. If your insurance Cancer Foundation asking the following questions: Living Beyond Breast Cancer normal. Talking to someone may be the first step in helping cancer cells grow and multiply. and utilizing a proactive strategy to reduce the United States. treatment within the cancer community. cancer over the course of your life. Genetic company will not cover the testing, reach www.tnbcfoundation.org How many metastatic breast cancer patients www.lbbc.org you live well with metastatic breast cancer. You may feel insurance barriers. • The “Genetic” and “Genomic” terms are very testing can be done on patients of all ages out to the manufacturer of the test to Metastatic breast cancer patients do you treat each year? like you should stay strong but it is also important for you to Gene Therapies: similar but actually refer to different types or who do not show any signs of illness. If a inquire about the availability of financial Triple Step Toward The Cure along with their caregivers face As a metastatic patient, you will likely Therapies that alter the genetic Men Against Breast Cancer find people who have experience in what you are facing, can • What has been your experience with the of information. gene mutation is positively identified, it does assistance to help cover the cost. www.triplesteptowardthecure.org complex medical situations with start to hear numerous new medical and structure of a tumor cell, making www.menagainstbreastcancer.org comfort you and are available to share their story. Trying to results of this treatment? not mean that the patient will definitely be accompanying financial challenges, technical clinical terms. To help make them more susceptible to either the Young Survival Coalition carry this burden alone while pretending everything is fine is sense of your situation, consider these tips How will my treatment affect my affected by the condition. Metastatic Breast intricate treatment decisions, long- • immune system or chemotherapy. www.youngsurvival.org not a good idea and can impact your overall health. when discussing your treatment: daily activities? Cancer Network term workplace and employment Under provisions Biomarker Testing may be completed concerns and many other unique Hormonal Therapy: www.mbcn.org Be honest with your treatment team about any emotional • Write down your questions before your visit. • How do you stay up to date on the latest of the Affordable Care Act, with genetic testing. Biomarkers refer to issues. While metastatic breast Treatment that adds, blocks, or strains and how you are feeling, as there may be support List the most important ones first to ensure treatment options and medical advances? new health plans are required the molecules found in all blood or tissues METAvivor cancer cannot be cured, it can be they are answered, and write down the removes hormones. To slow or services directly provided by your cancer treatment center • Do you enroll patients into clinical trials to pay for genetic counseling and that can be measured to indicate
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