Little known to the general public, metastatic breast cancer is a reality experienced by thousands of women. For 54% of them, the disease has a significant impact on daily life. Zoom on this cancer and its consequences on the lives of patients.
Metastatic breast cancer (MSC) is an advanced form of breast cancer, called stage IV. Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread to other tissues in the body, usually the bones, liver, brain and lungs, and gives rise to specific symptoms.
In terms of figures, there is little epidemiology data in France. In general, breast cancer represents the most frequent tumor [i] , with 54,062 new cases in 2015. What we know today is that less than 10% of cases of breast cancer have metastases from the start and that 30% to 50% of patients diagnosed at an early stage will develop metastases during their disease according to studies.
Health professionals consider that metastatic breast cancer tends to become chronic. Indeed, if it cannot yet be cured, the arrival of new targeted therapies constitutes an advance in the management of this tumor and a great hope for patients. These new molecules help to slow the progression of the disease and allow the women concerned to live better with their disease.
Listening to Patients
However, as with any disease with which one must live on a daily basis, metastatic breast cancer imposes on patients many constraints (for example, physical, psychological or domestic difficulties due to the disease, undesirable effects of treatments, etc.) and can have a big impact on their lives. And until today, the experience of women was largely unknown. As part of the SEINCHRONE program, which aims to co-construct with patients, health professionals, associations and decision-makers, actions to respond to the identified problems, Pfizer has launched an investigation. Called REALITES, it was conducted in association with Europa Donna with 230 French patients. Here are the main results:
- One in four women consider that they are not sufficiently informed about the disease and its treatments;
- If 96% of doctors take the time to explain the disease, one in two women fully understand these explanations;
- Almost two thirds of patients suffer from side effects;
- And a small proportion use supportive care (30% to a physiotherapist / 16% to a socio-esthetician).
‘ The isolation of these patients, their need for information, the difficulties in relation to treatment and the fear of side effects are probably underestimated by the medical world ‘, explains Dr Jean-Sébastien Frenel, Medical Oncologist at the Western Cancer Institute. This is why it is essential ‘ to better understand the experience and expectations of these women in order to offer the most appropriate care ‘. This is the whole point of the SEINCHRONE approach. “ It brought together professionals and patient associations to alert and reflect on the daily problems of patients, which are not necessarily addressed in medical care. In this it is a very important advance. ‘
