Navigating the social context of metastatic breast cancer: reflections on a project linking research to drama

Over the past two decades there has been a dramatic shift in attitudes towa rds cancer, particularly breast cancer. The former stigma associated with t he disease, while not entirely eradicated, is no longer primary. Breast can cer's new upbeat image focuses on prevention, early detection and survivors hip, not on death. In this article we explore the implications of this soci etal shift for women with metastatic breast cancer. To do this, we draw on several sources of information: (1) a focus group study we conducted with w omen with metastatic breast cancer; (2) excerpts from a theatre script abou t metastatic disease, based in large part on our focus group research; and (3) interviews with participants in the development of the theatre producti on, especially women with metastatic disease. We conclude that the difficul t realities facing seriously ill individuals are most often ignored or avoi ded by those who surround them. Where the grim challenges of metastatic can cer are acknowledged, patients are often pressured to take up narratives th at cast them outside the discourse of everyday life, as either passive vict ims or courageous heroes.