This October, Hear the Untold Side of Breast Cancer

New Video Shows How Metastatic Breast Cancer Is Different and How Friends and Family Can Help

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), we hear inspiring stories of survivorship, but there’s a side of breast cancer that’s rarely talked about — metastatic breast cancer (MBC) — an aggressive and fatal disease. More than 41,000 people a year still die of metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer is considered metastatic or advanced when it has spread from the breast to another part of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs or brain. More than 155,000 people in the United States are living with MBC. Those with MBC are facing a very different disease than women with early-stage breast cancer, and most will be on treatment for the rest of their lives. Yet nearly 70% say their family and friends don’t understand this difference, which can make this MBC community feel isolated, even during BCAM. Is there more friends and family can be doing to help? Yes, according to people with MBC.

In honor of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day (Oct. 13, 2011), Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, MetaVivor and Genentech collaborated to conduct a survey of people with MBC and launched a video in which this MBC community speaks openly about the disease, the importance of family and friends, and the need for more treatment options. The video, called Faces of MBC 2011, empowers friends and family to support people with this fatal type of breast cancer and highlights the simple things that can be done to help.

Visit www.facesofmbc.org to view the video beginning Thursday, October 13. Each time the video is viewed, Genentech will donate $1 to MBC initiatives (up to $20K).

Survey Statistics

Faces of MBC surveyed 760 people to uncover what living with metastatic breast cancer means to them and how their friends and family can help. Here’s what they said:

• Despite the stark differences between MBC and early-stage breast cancer, 67% of women with MBC say even their own family and friends do not understand the differences.
• 77% say that simple words of encouragement are all they need to keep fighting day to day.
• 66% of women with MBC say it’s the little things that matter when it comes to support, like going out for an activity with friends.

MBC Patient Pictures and Stories

This year, four women share their amazing stories of courage in the Faces of MBC 2011 video. They are:

• Elizabeth Esposito: Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at age 24, Elizabeth, now 30, wants people to know breast cancer doesn’t just mean your breast — her cancer spread to other parts of her body.
• Marilyn Speedy: Marilyn has been living with metastatic breast cancer for five years and says when she is playing the organ, she feels like her cancer no longer exists.
• Gail Bishop: A mother of two and grandmother of six, Gail says her family has brought her the most joy during her six-year fight with metastatic breast cancer.
• Diane Bowley: A mother of two, Diane has battled breast cancer for more than 15 years. Diane believes that you should never give up your own or take away someone else’s hope … without it you have nothing.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

MBC Resources

• @FacesofMBC
• www.facesofmbc.org
• www.lbbc.org
• www.mbcnetwork.org
• www.metavivor.org
• www.mylifeline.org
• www.gene.com

Recommended Support Tweets

• New video gives voice to people with metastatic #breastcancer. Check out www.facesofmbc.org to spread awareness & raise $1/view
• Learn more about metastatic #breastcancer, follow @FacesofMBC today

PRESS CONTACT

Mary Heinrich
Fleishman-Hillard
816-512-2321
mary.heinrich@fleishman.com
Corporate Relations
Genentech
650-467-6800