According to the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (mbcn.org):

• An estimated 155,000 Americans are currently living with metastatic breast cancer, and approximately 40,000 people (39,620 women and 410 men) will die from the disease this year.
• Between 6% and 10% of new breast cancer cases are initially diagnosed as stage IV.
• It is estimated that between 20% and 30% of all breast cancer cases will become metastatic.
• Treatment is lifelong and focuses on disease control and quality of life for patients.
• A recent survey of more than 2,000 adults by Pfizer Oncology found that (1) more than 60% of respondents said they know little to nothing about metastatic breast cancer; (2) 72% believe that breast cancer in the advanced stages is curable if diagnosed early; (3) 50% believe that breast cancer progresses because patients either did not take the right medicines or preventive measures. ■