How Does Breast Cancer Metastasis Happen and How Can You Treat it?

How does metastasis happen? What exactly is metastatic recurrence? How can cancer return after treatment? In this video, Dr. Jennifer Griggs breaks down the complexities of breast cancer metastasis and its treatment.
Sign up to get your personalized Yerbba Report at: yerbba.com/
Connect With Yerbba!
INSTAGRAM: / yerbba
FACEBOOK: / yerbba.breast.cancer
BLOG: www.yerbba.com...
#metastaticbreastcancer #cancereducation #breastcancer
Disclaimer: Yerbba KZbin videos are for informational purposes only, do not constitute medical advice, and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical team, mental health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition.

[@hawnair6624]

My oldest and dearest BFF is battling this wretched disease. I turned her on to your videos because it’s the most informative. I thank you from the bottom of my grief stricken heart.

[@michelle_sea_view]

♥️

[@yerbba]

We're deeply sorry to hear about your friend's battle with this challenging diagnosis. Your kind words mean a lot, and we're truly touched that the videos have been helpful and informative for you and your friend. Sending strength and support to both you and your friend during this challenging time. If there's anything specific you'd like information or support on, feel free to ask. Wishing her strength and healing.

[@chetnakalelkar6700]

Can we please have a video explaining the diagnostic tests that need to be done yearly after treatments are over to check for re-uccerance or metastasis elsewhere. Any abnormal symptoms need to be checked for sure but many times there aren't any before cancer rears up so can any regular checks and tests help? Thanks so much of your simple explanation to such a complex disease

[@yerbba]

Thank you for your video idea. We will make a more detailed video on this topic. In the meantime, you may find this video helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZSqcoiEo5KBZ6M. Make sure to subscribe to stay tuned!

[@ingridcarmak4268]

Thank you so much for all the information you provide us cancer patients with ,..I have a great oncologist but there are a lot of questions that come up that so far you have answered in a very kind ,and reassuring way,…my twin sister had her breast cancer 12 years ago,so far so good afther op,radiation and chemo ,my mother is battling breast cancer chronically and my niece dead of breast cancer quite young,I am ,since last year June number four..Her2 1+(or low ..as you explained in another video)I have had my operation and radiation and am now on anastrazol..my oncologist expects a 100% recovery ,my tumor was invasive but very small ,I am very optimistic but there are always some questions that come up that I would not like to bother my family or oncologist with,questions that are not relevant for the situation I am in at the moment but that you just want to prepare/yourself for,,just in case,,😶Thank you very much for your time ,greetings from Croatia..🙂👋

[@yerbba]

So grateful to hear that our information has been helpful. Please let us know if you have ideas for videos. Wishing you and your family the best. You've all been through a lot.

[@gumbylovesyou]

MBC patient here (but oligo and de novo, not a recurrence)...Never heard of the basement membrane before, very interesting. Thank you for another informative video ❤

[@yerbba]

We're glad you found the information interesting. If you have any more questions or if there's anything specific you'd like to know more about, feel free let us know. Wishing you strength and resilience on your journey.

[@SonyaLucas-o6y]

Your page is so informative...thank you. Could you clarify something for me? So, with early stage breast cancer, State 1A, grade 2, Her 2 negative, ER and PR positive, with no positive lymph nodes, this still could spread through the blood stream and be there, somewhere, elsewhere in the body?

[@yerbba]

With Stage IA, the risk of recurrence is lower than with other stages. There is a benefit of endocrine therapy if the tumor is hormone receptor-positive, but the benefit is much lower than with higher stage disease. Thanks for watching!

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you, Dr. Griggs for your informative advice.

[@yerbba]

We are so glad you found this video helpful. Thank you for watching!

[@amiraabdou673]

Thank you so much for all your useful videos, my question is how to detect metastases and discover it as early as possible… how often should the PET Scan should be done for example to check for all the body

[@yerbba]

Thanks for your question. There is no evidence that catching metastases early improves outcome. PET scans are not recommended after treatment of early stage disease. You may find our video, "Why don't we do scans after treatment" helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZSqcoiEo5KBZ6M

[@eugeniatorres9064]

thank for informative medical data about breast cancer.

[@yerbba]

We're glad you found the information helpful!

[@mavicflorendo3263]

I've been watching your Videos about Breast cancer ,since I was diagnosed with it ,stage 2, but I was lucky enough that my oncologist just adviced me to have radiation therapy. It's been 3 mos now , radiation treatment is over, but still under hormonal meds Letrozole and bone infusion, I just want to ask how come I'm having so much pain in my muscles, bone , limb area, hips when I walk, BTW, i had right breast mastectomy .....does Letrozole makes my bone /muscle weak , is this really normal?

[@yerbba]

Letrozole, one of the aromatase inhibitors, can cause joint and muscle pain. It is possible that if you were to be changed to one of the other two aromatase inhibitors, you would do better. Thank you for watching.

[@Kantorka2]

How do you find out whether your cancer is still growing during and in spite of a current chemotherapy treatment? You have so many different side effects from the chemo that listening in to your body just gives you anxiety, but no knowledge, no clues. What side effects are worth while talking over in detail with your medical team, and what side effects will trigger their knowledge and make them recommend further scans?

[@yerbba]

Great question. We don't ever really know if treatment is effective. Remember that many people are cured with surgery alone. Regarding reporting side effects, it is reasonable to report all side effects and in particular those side effects that interfere with your functioning or your quality of life.

[@Geeta-zz9us]

Can ribociclib cure cancer, i had metastatic breast cancer moderate in my lung.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for your question. In general, metastatic cancer is not considered curable although we often see people living for a very long time with a great quality of life. And of course we are always hoping for a cure!

[@abhigarg1912]

Does Ribocicilib 600mg+Letrozole works in case of tamoxifin failure and recurrence of Hormone + Breast Ca in Femur and spine area?

[@yerbba]

Ribociclib and letrozole is the "gold standard" in people whose cancer has progressed or recurred on tamoxifen, yes. Not everyone needs the ribociclib immediately. Adding a drug like ribociclib after a period of letrozole may be an option for many of our viewers.

[@reneeanitab7694]

I've been recently diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. The original plan was to have a lumpectomy, but an MRI revealed more suspicious areas and larger tumors than originally seen on mammogram and ultrasound. At age 58, the question kept arising as to whether or not I've gone through menopause. Since I've had irregular uterine bleeding for a number of years, more tests were ordered and pathology results confirm that I also have uterine cancer. So is this considered metastasis? Or is it considered two primary cancers? I am scheduled for a double mastectomy surgery in conjunction with a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy before the end of this year. This video says that surgery is not usually part of the treatment plan. Am I going into surgery prematurely? Should more testing be done?

[@michelle_sea_view]

❤️

[@yerbba]

While it is possible that the uterine cancer is metastatic, it is not uncommon for people to be diagnosed with two cancers. The biopsy of the uterus should be helpful in distinguishing the two. Come back once you know?

[@shenanigans8799]

I had the same exact situation, minus the uterine issues. I was 58 at time of diagnosis, I am a melanoma survivor, and now trying not to panic and praying it did not go to the colon region, waiting on those results now.

[@jamellkooora2427]

I have question what if it was in the leg does it if the tumor like inflamed if we put a syringe in this place and we pull of its possible to be there a milk a breast milk like advanced cell like breast i hope you reply ❤

[@michelle_sea_view]

Thank you

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and being part of the Yerbba community.

[@sherifafifi3073]

what is the genetic tests help for ?

[@yerbba]

Genetic tests help identify inherited mutations that may increase the risk of certain cancers. These tests look at the genes you were born with. Genomic testing, on the other hand, analyzes the genes in your tumor to understand its specific characteristics and how it might respond to treatments. Both types of tests can guide personalized treatment options.

[@sherifafifi3073]

@yerbba What if I found that I inherited a gene How doctors deal with that as a preventive prospective

[@shristibhageria3537]

Is their any way triple negative breast Cancer metastatic spread to liver, bone and lungs be cured if the biospy of the liver is also triple negative

[@yerbba]

Metastatic breast cancer, regardless of the ER, PR, and HER2 status is generally not considered curable. Even in people with so-called "favorable" breast cancer (ER and PR positive) are generally not cured. The disease can be controlled with treatment. Wishing you the best.

[@amparoramirez2712]

I had breast cancer diagnosis in1998. Now in 2024 after having a ct scan an adrenal nodule increased from 15mm to 22mm. Also DHEA was elevated. I also had estrogen positive receptors

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Yerbba community. Come back and let us know what's happening if you want.

[@Aasha271]

Hello Maam Can you make new video on new treatments coming in future 2025 any hope AI Will cure stage 4 cancer r Long Living life even with TNBC stage 4

[@yerbba]

Thank you for the request. We have generally avoided talking about upcoming treatments. Because our videos are permanently on KZbin, the risk of having outdated information is very high. Many treatments touted as new and exciting end up being failures.

[@MarqueeMark5]

What is keeping these cancer cells alive that allows them to set up shop somewhere else? If cells need sugar, wouldn't sugar in the blood allow it to keep thriving? If I stopped giving my body fuel, will that stop the cells from getting fuel?

[@yerbba]

Cancer cells do use glucose, but so do healthy cells. Completely cutting off sugar or starving yourself isn’t a safe or effective way to stop cancer cells. Your body needs fuel to function and fight the disease, so it’s important to maintain a balanced diet.

[@julietvincent6781]

Hi Dr what tests can be done to find out if you have cancer beside Mammograms.

[@Schnellanie]

Signaterra

[@yerbba]

Great question! In addition to mammograms, other tests for detecting breast cancer include clinical breast exam (CBE), breast self-exam (BSE), breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and, if needed, a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will recommend the most appropriate tests based on your individual situation. Regular screenings and prompt attention to any changes are crucial.

[@sue8319]

Waiting for the other shoe to drop. 2. Lumpectomies, radiation. On Anastrozole. No lymph node involved. So concerned, Stage 1. Invasive duct

[@Schnellanie]

You might wanna look into Mistletoe Therapy and ferroptosis. I'm stage 4 and it helped me come back from the edge. Hang in there! 🙂

[@Schnellanie]

Also, signaterra tests give more insight. Learn more by reading books like The Metabolic Approach and How To Starve C.

[@michelle_sea_view]

❤️

[@michelle_sea_view]

@@Schnellanie i❤️

[@LindaLopez-i3r]

Really sounds like your BC was caught early and likely has a very hopeful prognosis. Totally understand the worry - I’m right there with you many days! Try to remind myself to truly live and enjoy the present. Also focus on how the majority of women don’t have a recurrence. Best to you for peace of mind. We’re all in this together!

[@rosacentenorosalinda5854]

Hi I'm a cancer patient since last year. It all started with a lump right breast. I've been thru a lumpectomy chemotherapy and radiation now I'm on a pill for 5 years tamaxophen. Now I need to fix my mouth and I need dentures. I don't feel safe doing my mouth because if they pull out the few teeth I got to put dentures I think it could cause the cancer to come back. Can you advise me what to do and if it's all in my mind what I'm thinking?

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. Good oral health is connected with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. There is no evidence that dental work causes harm and, rather, that having your dental health attended to will improve the duration and quality of your life.

[@FreddyFnafbear5]

i have a spread

[@yerbba]

Thank you for coming here to share your experience. We hope that you are receiving good care.

[@saqibspeaks1800]

If there is a patient who are the very good responser of endocrine and targeted therapy ,Can we expect the long term recovery?

[@yerbba]

In people with advanced (metastatic) breast cancer, it is possible for people to live long and to live well, yes. We are sending best wishes that this is the case for you.

[@GeetiSahak]

Is it possible to do surgery for secondary breast cancer

[@yerbba]

Secondary breast cancer may refer to a recurrence only in the breast or elsewhere in the body. If you're referring to a cancer only in the breast, yes, surgery can be an option. For people with secondary cancer elsewhere in the body, surgery may be done to prevent problems in other parts of the body. The main treatment is, however, systemic therapy. Thanks for watching.