Unravel mBC
with Knowledge

There is hope, there is Asha.

An initiative by Pfizer

Therapy options
for metastatic
breast cancer

With stage IV breast cancer, the goal of
therapy is to slow the disease's growth for
as long as possible, with the least amount
of
side effects or pain1

LEARN MORE

Treatment decision making:
Use your time wisely.

Gather the information you need to
make an
informed decision and
seek necessary help.

EDUCATE

Coming to terms with
your diagnosis and
taking the next step

Let us guide you in choosing your treatment
option for metastatic breast cancer.

DISCOVER

mBC & Existing
treatment options
LEARN
What to ask your
doctor
EDUCATE
Diagnosis and
the next step
DISCOVER
“What to Ask Your Doctor” Guide

Metastatic breast cancer

Metastatic breast cancer also called stage IV or advanced breast cancer, is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body, most commonly the bones, lungs, brain, or liver. The process of cancer spreading is called metastasis. Metastasis happens when cancer cells break away from the original tumor in the breast and travel to other parts of the body. These cancer cells travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.1 Approximately 30% of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer may develop metastatic disease. Some people have metastatic breast cancer when they are first diagnosed with breast cancer.2

Types of metastatic breast cancer3

Hormone receptor-positive: Breast cancers expressing estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progesterone receptors (PR) are called "hormone receptor-positive." These receptors are proteins found in cells. Tumors that have estrogen receptors are called "ER-positive." Tumors that have progesterone receptors are called "PR-positive." These cancers may depend on the hormones estrogen and/or progesterone to grow. HER2-positive: Breast cancers that depend on the gene called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) to grow are called "HER2-positive" and have high levels of the HER2 protein. These proteins are also called "receptors." HER2-positive breast cancers grow more quickly. They can also be either hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-negative. Cancers that have no HER2 protein are called "HER2-negative." Triple-negative: If the breast tumor does not express ER, PR, or HER2, the tumor is called "triple-negative." Triple-negative breast cancers make up about 15% of invasive breast cancers. Triple-negative breast cancer may grow more quickly. They are the most common type of breast cancer diagnosed in people with a BRCA1 gene mutation. Abbreviations:
  1. HR: Hormone Receptor, HER2: Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2, mBC: metastatic Breast Cancer, BRCA1: BReast CAncer gene 1
References:
  1. Metastatic breast cancer - symptoms, diagnosis & more. [cited 2023 September 12] Available at: https://www.breastcancer.org/types/metastatic
  2. Metastatic Breast Cancer. breastcancer.org [cited 2023 September 12] Available from: https://www.breastcancer.org/types/metastatic
  3. Breast Cancer: Introduction. Cancer.Net [cited 2023, September 20]. Available from: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer-metastatic/introduction