Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Today is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and to help understand how the 155,000 people in the U.S. living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) – an advanced form of the disease – want to be supported, Genentech (a biotechnology company that has been developing new cancer treatments for women for the past 15 years) created a survey to find out. With information from the survey, a sequel to last year’s Faces of MBC video was created, featuring real women living with the disease and their supporters. While everyone has unique support needs, the survey results indicated the following:

• 66% of women say it’s the little things that matter when it comes to support, like going out for an activity with friends.

• 77% say that simple words of encouragement are truly helpful to getting through the day and battling the disease.

• 67% of survey participants say that even their own family and friends do not know the differences between metastatic breast  cancer and early stage disease.

Unlike early-stage breast cancer, there is currently no cure for MBC, and some women with MBC will battle the disease for many years, receiving medicines for the remainder of their lives. These women strive to live with day-to-day support from loved ones, friends and medical teams in hopes that they will make it to see the cure.

There are many ways to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but here are two easy ways for all of us to get involved:

• Watch the video on today. This year’s video is available at FacesofMBC.org starting today for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.   Genentech is donating $1 to breast cancer research programs for every video view today, so just stopping by is an easy way to help support the cause.

• Share the support tips with others via Facebook, your own blog, email. Many people think it takes a lot of effort to support someone battling cancer, when what really matters are the little things.