Health Care for Women International, 36:514–542, 2015 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 0739-9332 print / 1096-4665 online DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2014.896364 The Experience of Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer—A Review of the Literature KAREN WILLIS, SOPHIE LEWIS, and FIONA NG Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia LEIGH WILSON School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Women’s experiences with metastatic breast cancer have re- ceived little research attention. We reviewed published articles (1984–2013) reporting research examining women’s experiences of metastatic breast cancer (n = 33). Findings from quantitative studies were categorized into three broad areas: adverse conse- quences, satisfaction with health care providers, and strategies for living. Themes identified from qualitative findings include living as a social outsider; importance of hope; health and quality of life; positive experiences; experiences at end of life; and strategies for living. More research is needed to explore experiences of subgroups to appropriately respond to women’s diverse care needs. Breast cancer is a significant worldwide health issue, but little is known about the experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In our review of published literature on the experiences of MBC we highlight the challenges for future research in this area. Knowledge of how women live with MBC will ensure that health practitioners meet the needs of this group of women. MBC, also referred to as advanced, secondary, or stage IV breast cancer, occurs when cancerous cells have spread beyond the sentinel nodes of the breast and infiltrated other distant sites (or metastases; Cancer Australia, 2013). MBC is not curable, but as a result of improvements in diagnostic techniques and treatment methods, women with metastases can live for Received 22 July 2013; accepted 16 February 2014. Address correspondence to Karen Willis, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, 75 East Street, Lidcombe, Sydney, 2141 New South Wales, Australia. E-mail: karen.willis@ sydney.edu.au 514