At 54, Amelia from Florida is navigating the physical and mental demands of metastatic breast cancer (mBC) with resilience and a practical approach to managing her care.

“Receiving mBC treatment takes a lot out of me mentally and physically. Being responsible for my medication and scheduled infusions is important. To manage my medications and my treatment, I make sure I have an appointment calendar reminder that allows me to see how my month will be.”

Amelia credits clinical research for offering her more than just new treatment options—it’s given her renewed confidence in her future:

“This clinical trial gives me the confidence that I need in addition to hope for the future…there are medications that can prolong your life and improve the quality of your life.”

Her perspective on inclusion also highlights a critical need in cancer advocacy:

“I would add men since they can get mBC. And different ages and gender fluidity.”

Expanding Access and Inclusion

Amelia’s experiences reflect the importance of accessible resources, clear communication, and inclusive representation in metastatic breast cancer care. Support Our Sisters, an initiative of the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), works to address these needs by sharing real patient stories, connecting women to resources for managing their treatment, and advocating for care that recognizes the diverse faces of those affected by mBC.

The program also emphasizes the role of clinical trials in offering new hope to patients—ensuring women, and all those affected by mBC while managing other long term illnesses, have access to information that can help them make empowered choices about their care.

Call to Action

Amelia’s journey reminds us that living with mBC requires not only medical treatment but also understanding, inclusion, and access to the latest research opportunities. To learn more, explore other patient stories, or join the Support Our Sisters network, visit SupportOurSisterswithmBC.org. 

Together, we can help build a future where every person affected by metastatic breast cancer feels supported, represented, and hopeful for better outcomes.