A new healthcare study is seeking the participation of women who were diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at least two years ago and are not experiencing active health decline. In other words, women who are living relatively well with metastatic breast cancer.
There are several types of breast cancer and different ways the illness can progress over time.
An increasingly common type of breast cancer is chronic metastatic breast cancer (sometimes referred to as stage 4 or advanced). Although once considered to be a breast cancer only associated with poor health outcomes, there is now a growing number of women who live many years with metastatic breast cancer as a long-term chronic condition.
The study is led by Sheryl Shermak an interdisciplinary doctoral student at the University of Victoria, out of the nursing department. Shermak has spent many years in community advocacy for breast cancer and is also a medical social worker. Her general research interest is people’s experiences of living with chronic or ongoing forms of serious illness in smaller communities.
The research goal of the study is to increase awareness and insights into the lives of women who experience metastatic breast cancer as an ongoing health condition, an often hidden group of women with breast cancer.
Research participation will include two informal interviews, with options for further participation depending on interests and health of potential participants. The exact format and timeline of study participation is flexible as to meet individual participant needs, for example the length of each interview.
Anyone interested in participating in this research can learn more by contacting Shermak at 1-250-886-4691 or sshermak@uvic.ca
