Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Metastatic Breast Cancer Support and Education

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    2025-2026 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum Series

    Join us for the EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum Series — free virtual educational programs for patients, families, and loved ones. This series begins in Fall 2025 and will go through Summer 2026.

    Information and registration

    View recordings from the 2024-2025 forum

    2022-2023 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum Series

    The 2022-2023 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum Series of online educational programs for patients, families, and loved ones was held from October 2023 to May 2024. We hope you join us for the next series!

    View forum series recordings
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    2025-2026 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum Series

    Join us for the EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Forum Series, a series of free educational programs for patients, families, and loved ones. While we will always offer virtual opportunities to connect and learn, some events in this series will be held in person. Please read on for more information and to register for our events:

    In-Person Expressive Arts and Community Building Event
    November 14 | 9 – 11 a.m. ET
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston

    Join us for a morning of expressive arts and community building! This in-person event is an opportunity to connect with others living with MBC while engaging your creativity in a fun painting activity. We are excited to welcome all members of the MBC community and invite you to also bring a loved one to share in this enjoyable experience.

    View recordings from the 2025-2026 forum.

    Previous EMBRACE Forums

    View recordings from the 2024-2025 forum.

    View recordings from the 2023-2024 forum.

    About the EMBRACE Program

    One of the goals of the Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone (EMBRACE) program is to provide resources and information to help guide patients through many situations and decisions. Throughout their journey, metastatic breast cancer patients in the EMBRACE program receive education and support from expert clinicians, other professionals, and one another.

    Supporting Patients Through the EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Program

    Nancy Lin, MD, director of the EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Program, discusses the educational and supportive resources and clinical trial opportunities available to patients with metastatic breast cancer at Dana-Farber.

    We offer patient- and family-centered care, which means that you and your loved ones are the focus of our attention. Your health care team will take the time to listen, understand your needs and preferences, and help give you a better sense of control over your life.

    Learn how you can support the work of the EMBRACE program

    An outreach coordinator meets EMBRACE patients on their first day, outlines resources available to them, and guides them at every step. Some of these resources include:

    The Blum Patient and Family Resource Center

    The Blum Center offers a lending library, workshops, computers for use, interpreters by phone, care bags for new patients, resources for parents with cancer and their children, a creative arts program, and more.

    Financial Assistance

    Limited financial assistance for basic needs and parking costs, as well as referrals for financial coaching to help review your financial situation and provide advice and guidance, are available. For eligibility information, please call 617-632-3301.

    Legal Services

    Referrals to legal services related to care are available for Massachusetts residents. These services do not cover emergencies, bankruptcy, divorce, child support, or contested guardianship. For more information, please call 617-632-3301.

    Pharmacy Resource Program

    The Dana-Farber pharmacy fills prescriptions for all pediatric and adult patients. Our pharmacists are an extension of the patient care team and work closely with physicians to provide seamless, convenient, safe care. Medication access and co-pay assistance may be available for chemotherapy and other medications. Eligibility requirements may apply; for more information, please call 617-632-3526.

    Resource Specialists

    Resource specialists can help with concrete resource needs: short-term housing, transportation, food, insecurity, and limited financial assistance for patients receiving treatment at Dana-Farber. Eligibility requirements may apply; for more information, please call 617-632-5817 or email rgermano@partners.org.

    Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Groups

    Two monthly groups for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients are co-facilitated by a psychiatrist and a social worker. Members vary from people newly diagnosed with MBC to people who have been living with MBC for years. Attendees report powerful benefits of getting to know and being able to process with people who "get it." For more information, please call 617-632-5606.

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    Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer, Mother is Given a Chance to Raise Her Son 

    “They are all truly wonderful human beings and I wish everyone could have a team as amazing as mine.” Read about Abigail Myers’s experience with the EMBRACE program’s supportive resources.

    More on Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

    Educational Programs

    Throughout the year, patients in the program receive updates on research and care through webcasts, web chats, podcasts, and other channels.

    EMBRACE Newsletters

    Extending the Benefits of Targeting HER2 in Breast Cancer

    Nancy Lin, MD, and Paolo Tarantino, MD, explain how the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) is now being used to treat HER2-low breast cancers.