Supporting Younger Patients with Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

This video was supported by Gilead Sciences, Inc., but editorially independently created by the Oncology Nursing News team.

NP Theresa Stukus and NP Nelli Zafman discuss the unique challenges of caring for younger patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), emphasizing that treatment planning extends beyond disease management to encompass the patient's personal, family, and professional responsibilities. Using the clinical scenario, the faculty highlights the importance of setting realistic expectations regarding treatment, proactively educating patients about potential adverse events, and reassuring them that side effects can often be managed through close communication and supportive care. The discussion also explores quality-of-life considerations, including fatigue, work responsibilities, caregiving, body image, sexual health, fertility and premature menopause, as well as the emotional impact of metastatic diagnosis. NP Stukus and NP Zafman underscore the value of regularly reassessing patients' priorities and leveraging multidisciplinary resources, including social workers and supportive care services, to address psychosocial, financial, and practical barriers. They conclude by reinforcing that understanding what matters most to each patient is fundamental to delivering personalized, patient-centered care in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.