Bridging gaps, expanding outreach: Metastatic Breast Cancer Advocacy Working Group Consensus Report. January 25, 2008

Abstract

It is estimated that approximately one-third of women diagnosed with early breast cancer will develop metastatic breast cancer (MBC) over the course of their disease. As advances have been made in the treatment of MBC, patients' life expectancy has increased and consequently more women are living with the disease. Many report feeling isolated in terms of the availability of resources, and the attention paid to MBC compared with early stage breast cancer. In order to identify the needs of patients with MBC, a group of 16 patient advocates from seven countries (the MBC Advocacy Working Group) met to share insights on the current obstacles facing women with MBC and discuss potential solutions for better addressing their unmet needs. The group compiled their findings into a Consensus Report, and the report and its recommendations are published here.