Breast cancer is among the most common types of cancer that affect women in the country. It is caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the breast. Metastatic breast cancer is when it spreads to nearby areas outside the breasts, which occurs in stage 4. The common areas to which breast cancer metastasizes are the lungs, bones, liver, and brain. Here’s what you need to know about this form of cancer.

Causes
Cancer develops when healthy cells mutate and grow uncontrollably, forming a lump or a sheet of cells called a tumor. Estrogen exposure over one’s lifetime is a common risk factor associated with breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer usually occurs when cancer cells break away from the main tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, both of which carry fluids around the body.

Symptoms
The symptoms can vary depending on the severity of cancer and its location. The common symptoms include persistent joint pain, back pain, bone pain, difficulty urinating, general weakness or fatigue, numbness in the body, constant dry cough, breathlessness, chest pain, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or bloating, vision problems, and loss of balance.

Diagnosis
If a cancer patient is showing any signs of metastasis, the doctor may prescribe any of the following tests:

• X-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen or chest
• Whole-body bone scan
• CT scan of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and/or brain
• PET scan
• MRI of the brain or spine
• Blood tests, including tumor markers

Treatment options
An oncologist may recommend a treatment option depending on the extent of metastasis and other factors like a patient’s age and overall health. Systemic therapy is the main treatment method for metastatic breast cancer. The common treatments include:

• Hormone therapy
  Breast cancer may be affected by hormones like progesterone and estrogen. The cancer cells have receptors or proteins that tend to attach to these hormones, which help them grow. Hormone therapy stops the hormones from getting linked to these receptors.
• Chemotherapy
  This treatment method involves administering anti-cancer medications, either intravenously or orally. The medications travel through the bloodstream to reach the body parts with cancerous growth.
• Targeted therapy
  Like chemotherapy, targeted therapy involves injecting medications into the bloodstream to fight cancer cells in distant parts of the body. This treatment differs from chemotherapy in that the medications target the specific changes occurring in cancerous cells.
• Immunotherapy
  Immunotherapy involves the use of medicines that activate the patient’s immune system to identify and attack cancer cells.
• Surgery
  A surgical procedure is recommended for most women with breast cancer. Surgery may be performed to remove the cancerous growth, determine whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, relieve the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer, or restore the breast shape and/or size after cancer removal.
• Radiation therapy
  Radiation therapy involves directing high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. This therapy is generally administered along with other treatments. Two types of radiation therapy are used to treat breast cancer: external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.

Best foods to have for breast cancer patients
Breast cancer treatment often causes several side effects, like vomiting, nausea, and mouth sores. Following a balanced, nutritious diet helps the body recover faster after treatment, and proper nutrition also helps one maintain a healthy weight and muscle strength. One should add the following foods to their regular diet:

• Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and kale, and colorful fruits and veggies like apples, tomatoes, and berries are packed with antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage
• Whole grains like quinoa and oatmeal can help fight constipation
• Lentils, beans, and other protein-rich food can keep up one’s strength and help fight fatigue