Aim: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is associated with substantial and ongoing treatment burden. Understanding the experiences, preferences, and unmet needs of people living with MBC is critical to inform patient-centred care and guide future research.
Methods: A survey in adult patients with MBC from Australia was conducted from September to November 2025. Participants, recruited through patient advocacy organisations, completed a 20-minute online questionnaire covering demographics, treatment experiences, QoL, and information needs.
Results: Among 111 respondents, 53% had HR+/HER2- disease. Over half (57%) reported ≥2 metastatic sites. Metastatic sites included bone (83%), liver (33%), lung (32%), brain (14%), and other sites (25%). Current line of treatment was first- (45%), second- (28%), and third-line or later (27%). Poor or very poor QoL was reported by 26% of patients overall, with brain and “other” metastatic sites associated with worse QoL. Fatigue (65%), pain (32%), and cognitive issues (29%) were the most impactful side effects. Oral treatments were favoured by 85% of patients. Overall, 94% of patients consider targeted therapies to be an advancement in cancer treatment, and most (61%) prefer to avoid chemotherapy. Treatment efficacy was the most important factor when considering new therapies. Information-seeking was common (64% searching for information on clinical trials; 40% for specialised centres); satisfaction with available information, especially financial support resources and clinical trials, was low.
Conclusions: These results highlight unmet treatment needs and patient preferences, especially the importance of maintaining or improving QoL in the management of MBC. The majority of Australians living with MBC prefer oral treatments, want to avoid chemotherapy for as long as possible, prioritise efficacy, and prefer therapies that minimise daily disruption.