Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day 2025: Empowering Patients, Driving Change

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and in India — and while many cases are caught early and treated successfully, thousands of women still live with metastatic (stage 4) breast cancer, where disease has spread beyond the breast to other organs. Advances in precision medicine, targeted therapies and supportive care have improved outcomes and quality of life, but awareness, funding and supportive services for people living with metastatic disease remain limited. Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on 13 October is a global call to action: to highlight these gaps, to support research, and to stand in solidarity with patients and families living with stage-4 disease.

In this article, we will discuss the significance of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, understand  metastatic breast cancer in detail, including its symptoms, and highlight how awareness and research are bringing new hope to those living with this condition.

Why October 13 matters

October 13 was established as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in 2009 through advocacy efforts and subsequent recognition at national levels. Patient-led groups such as METAvivor and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN) were instrumental in creating a focused day within Breast Cancer Awareness Month to draw attention to the unique, lifelong needs of people with metastatic disease. Campaigns such as LightUpMBC now mobilise landmarks, communities and clinical groups each year to promote awareness and fund research. Over the years, the movement has gained global attention, inspiring countries including India to participate in awareness drives, educational events, and community initiatives that honour those living with metastatic disease.

The significance of this day extends beyond awareness and advocacy. It serves as a symbol of:

• Solidarity: Standing together with patients and families affected by metastatic breast cancer.
• Remembrance: Honouring those who have lost their lives to the disease while continuing to inspire hope for others.
• Hope: Reinforcing that progress in treatment and research continues to improve survival and quality of life.
• Courage and Compassion: Celebrating the strength of patients, the dedication of caregivers, and the perseverance of healthcare professionals.
• Commitment to Progress: Reaffirming the global goal that no patient is left behind, and that every person living with advanced breast cancer receives care marked by dignity, empathy, and continuous advancement.

Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage 4 Breast Cancer)

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as stage 4 breast cancer, occurs when cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. This spread happens through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and while the cancer may appear in a new location, it is still considered breast cancer because the cells originate from breast tissue.

It is important to understand that metastatic breast cancer is not the result of neglect or failure of treatment. Even after successful initial therapy for early-stage breast cancer, some cancer cells can remain inactive in the body for years before becoming active again. When this happens, the disease is said to have recurred as metastatic breast cancer.

Although it is not currently curable, metastatic breast cancer is treatable and manageable. With the help of advanced treatments such as targeted therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation, many patients live longer, more comfortable, and fulfilling lives.

Awareness about metastatic breast cancer helps shift the focus from fear to empowerment,  encouraging early reporting of symptoms, regular follow-ups, and ongoing emotional and medical support for patients and their families.

Symptoms and Areas of Spread

Metastatic breast cancer can spread to different organs or tissues, and symptoms often depend on where the cancer has spread. Recognising these signs early and consulting a doctor promptly can help manage the disease more effectively.

Common areas where breast cancer tends to spread include:

• Bones: Pain in the back, hips, or limbs that worsens over time, along with swelling or an increased risk of fractures.
• Lungs: Shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest discomfort, or fatigue due to reduced lung function.
• Liver: Abdominal pain or swelling, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), nausea, and unexplained weight loss.
• Brain: Headaches, dizziness, vision problems, seizures, or changes in balance and memory.
• Skin: Redness, nodules, or lesions that may appear near the site of the original breast tumour or surgical scar.

Symptoms may appear gradually and vary from person to person. Regular medical follow-ups, imaging tests, and blood investigations are essential for monitoring health and identifying changes early. With timely detection and care, many symptoms can be effectively controlled, improving both comfort and quality of life.

How Metastatic Breast Cancer is Diagnosed

Diagnosing metastatic breast cancer involves identifying whether the disease has spread beyond the breast and determining which organs are affected. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for planning the most effective treatment strategy and improving quality of life.

Common diagnostic methods include:

• Imaging Tests: Tests such as PET-CT scan, MRI, bone scan, and CT scan help detect cancer spread to the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. These provide detailed images that guide treatment decisions.
• Biopsy: A small sample of tissue from the suspected metastatic site is examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of breast cancer cells. This test also checks for hormone receptor (ER/PR) and HER2 status, which determine the most suitable targeted therapy or hormone treatment.
• Blood Tests and Tumour Markers: Blood tests can help assess organ function, such as liver or kidney health, while tumour markers like CA 15-3 and CEA may help monitor disease but are not definitive alone.
• Molecular and Genetic Testing: In advanced cases, genomic tests identify specific mutations that can be targeted with precision medicines, offering personalised and more effective treatment options.

Through a combination of these tests, doctors can confirm the extent of metastasis, monitor disease activity, and create a comprehensive, individualised treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs.

Treatment Options for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Treatment in metastatic breast cancer is personalised and typically aims to control disease, relieve symptoms, and maintain quality of life. Treatment is highly individualised depending on factors such as the location of metastasis, hormone receptor status, previous treatments, and overall health.

Key treatment options include:

• Hormone Therapy: Used for hormone receptor-positive (ER/PR+) cancers, hormone therapy works by blocking or lowering oestrogen levels, which helps slow or stop tumour growth.
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted drugs attack specific genetic changes or proteins, such as HER2, that help cancer cells grow. These treatments often have fewer side effects and have significantly improved survival rates in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used to shrink tumours, reduce symptoms, and control the spread of cancer when other treatments are less effective. Modern regimens are designed to maximise benefit while minimising side effects.
• Immunotherapy: In certain cases, particularly triple-negative breast cancer, immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognise and destroy cancer cells.
• Radiation and Surgery: While these are not used to cure metastatic breast cancer, they can help relieve pain, control local symptoms, or treat isolated metastases — for example, in the bones or brain.
• Supportive (palliative) care: pain control, bone-strengthening agents, nutritional and psychosocial support are essential elements of care.

Treatment for metastatic breast cancer often combines several of these approaches. The focus is on prolonging life, maintaining comfort, and preserving emotional well-being. Precision medicine, combination strategies and newer agents have materially improved outcomes in the last decade — turning metastatic breast cancer for many patients into a chronic, manageable illness rather than an immediately fatal diagnosis.

Research and Advancements in Metastatic Breast Cancer

In recent years, continuous research and innovation have transformed the outlook for metastatic breast cancer. Once considered untreatable, it is now increasingly viewed as a chronic but controllable condition, thanks to advances in precision medicine, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.

Some of the most promising developments include:

• Targeted and Precision Medicine: Genomic profiling now allows doctors to identify specific gene mutations or molecular changes in a tumour. This helps select the most effective targeted drugs, such as HER2 inhibitors or CDK4/6 inhibitors, improving both survival and quality of life.
• Immunotherapy: Newer immunotherapy drugs have shown encouraging results, especially in triple-negative breast cancer, by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells more effectively.
• Liquid Biopsies: Non-invasive blood tests that detect tumour DNA fragments are emerging as a way to monitor disease progression and treatment response in real time.
• Combination Therapies: Researchers are studying how combining therapies, such as targeted therapy with hormone or immunotherapy, can further enhance outcomes and delay resistance.
• Supportive Care Innovations: Modern palliative care now integrates pain management, psychological counselling, and nutritional guidance, ensuring a more holistic approach to living with MBC.

Clinical trials around the world, including in India, continue to explore newer drugs and treatment combinations aimed at improving metastatic breast cancer survival rates and offering hope for long-term disease control. Each research breakthrough brings patients one step closer to a future where MBC can be managed with even greater success and less impact on daily life.

Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Hope and Support

Living with metastatic breast cancer is a journey that extends beyond medical treatment. It involves courage, adaptability, and emotional strength. While the diagnosis can feel overwhelming, many people continue to live meaningful, fulfilling lives through the right combination of medical care, emotional support, and self-empowerment.

Emotional and Psychological Support

Coping with advanced cancer often brings uncertainty and anxiety. Counselling, therapy, and support groups play an essential role in helping patients and their families express their feelings, share experiences, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone.

Palliative and Supportive Care

Palliative care focuses on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life at every stage of the disease. It helps address physical discomfort as well as emotional and spiritual well-being, ensuring that care remains compassionate and patient-centred.

Family and Community Support

The involvement of family members, caregivers, and friends can make a significant difference. Emotional encouragement, practical help, and simply being present provide comfort and strength through difficult days.

Staying Positive and Empowered

Advances in treatment and awareness mean that MBC is increasingly being managed as a long-term condition. Many patients continue to work, travel, and pursue their passions while receiving ongoing care.

With continued awareness and support, Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day reminds the world that living with cancer is not just about survival, it is about living fully, with dignity, hope, and strength.

The Role of RGCIRC in Advanced Breast Cancer Care

At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), the commitment to breast cancer care goes beyond early detection and treatment, it extends to providing hope and healing for patients living with advanced and metastatic breast cancer. As one of India’s most trusted oncology hospitals, RGCIRC combines cutting-edge medical innovation with patient-centred compassion to ensure every individual receives the best possible care. We provide:

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Care

Every metastatic breast cancer case at RGCIRC is reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board, bringing together oncologists, radiologists, breast surgeons, pathologists, and palliative care experts. This collaborative approach ensures a customised treatment plan designed to control the disease and enhance quality of life.

Advanced Treatment Modalities

RGCIRC offers access to the latest therapies, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and palliative surgery. Precision diagnostics, such as genomic testing and receptor profiling, guide treatment decisions to ensure the most effective and personalised care.

Supportive and Palliative Services

Recognising the physical and emotional challenges of metastatic breast cancer, RGCIRC provides comprehensive palliative care, pain management, and psychological counselling. The goal is to ensure that patients remain comfortable, supported, and empowered throughout their treatment journey.

Commitment to Research and Innovation

The institute actively participates in clinical research and international collaborations that explore novel treatments and drug combinations for advanced-stage breast cancer. This ensures that patients in India benefit from global advances in oncology science.

Patient Education and Awareness

Through year-round breast cancer awareness programmes, RGCIRC empowers women with information about screening, treatment, and coping strategies. The institute’s approach blends science with compassion, ensuring that care addresses not just the illness but the individual.

Together for Hope, Research, and Support

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day 2025, observed on 13 October, serves as a reminder that every patient living with advanced breast cancer deserves not just treatment, but understanding, dignity, and continued support. Through awareness, research, and compassion, society can help break the stigma surrounding metastatic cancer and create a world where no patient feels alone in their journey.

At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), expert oncologists, breast surgeons, radiologists, and palliative care specialists work together to provide comprehensive, personalised care for patients with metastatic breast cancer. With advanced therapies such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and precision diagnostics, RGCIRC continues to strengthen India’s fight against breast cancer through innovation and empathy.

✍️ About the author:

Dr. K.M.M. Vishvak Chanthar

Chief of Breast Onco-Surgery, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), New Delhi. Dr. Vishvak Chanthar specialises in oncoplastic breast surgery and multidisciplinary care for breast cancer. He is committed to clinical excellence, research and public education around early detection and advanced breast-cancer care.

To consult a breast cancer specialist or learn more about advanced treatment options at RGCIRC, call +91-11-4702 2222.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is metastatic breast cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage 4 breast cancer, occurs when cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.

What are the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer?

Symptoms depend on where the cancer has spread. Common signs include persistent bone pain, breathing difficulties, headaches, abdominal swelling, or jaundice.

Can metastatic breast cancer be cured?

While it is not curable, metastatic breast cancer is treatable. With modern therapies such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy, many patients live longer and maintain a good quality of life.

What is the survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer?

Survival rates vary depending on factors such as receptor type, overall health, and response to treatment. With timely and advanced treatment, many patients live for several years after diagnosis.

How is metastatic breast cancer treated at RGCIRC?

At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), treatment is personalised and may include targeted therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy. Supportive and palliative care are also provided to improve comfort and quality of life.

Where can I find the best breast cancer hospital near me in Delhi for advanced treatment?

RGCIRC is among the leading breast cancer hospitals in Delhi, offering comprehensive care for patients with early-stage and metastatic breast cancer through advanced technology and expert oncologists.