​This fact sheet presents findings from interviews, discussions, and studies from the report Barriers to Metastatic Breast Cancer Care in California: A report to the California Breast Cancer Research Program. Specifically, the fact sheet assesses barriers to accessing palliative care and recommendations on policy solutions that could improve survivors’ understanding of and access to care options for breast cancer that has metastasized.

Summary:

• Palliative care is an important part of care for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), yet it is widely misunderstood.
• Palliative care is too often perceived solely as end-of-life care rather than as a way to manage pain and improve quality of life.
• Investment in clinician training can help promote palliative care as an important part of care for MBC patients.