SABCS24, a different conference experience

by Abigail Johnston, Individual Advocate Member

I was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) in 2017. I hadn’t had cancer before that diagnosis, so it was a baptism by fire in the truest sense of that phrase. Once I felt that I’d gotten a bit of a handle on the MBC experience, I started to look for those areas of advocacy that made the most sense for me. Attending scientific conferences wasn’t something that jumped out at me immediately, but when I attended my first conference in 2018, I was hooked and have returned every year since.

Over the years, attending conferences became the norm and I got better at navigating the intense learning and all the social elements, plus the costs, overt and covert. Fast forward to 2024 when I was able to attend the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) on a scholarship from the Alliance. A few things about this experience were different from years past, so much so that it feels important to share.

First major difference is the medication that I’m taking. I am presently on my 7th line of treatment (or 9th, depending on how they are counted) and the brain fog and fatigue are pretty significant. In light of a COVID infection (my first!), my cycle had to be adjusted such that I received treatment only a few days before leaving for San Antonio. Navigating the conference with the challenges from treatment in 2024 meant that I had to lean more on my roommates, my friends, and others around me. Made me realize, yet again, that while the science is important, it’s the people and relationships that really make these experiences worthwhile.

Secondly, I’ve had to navigate conferences knowing only one or two people in the past, so attending a conference where there are so many familiar faces and opportunities to connect is so very important. Organizations like the Alliance assist with connecting patients to key people between conferences so that the conference experience is even more impactful. And, as an introvert, knowing there will be friendly faces makes allocating the significant energy necessary more palatable.

Third and finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the scholarship that the Alliance offered this year, that enabled me to attend financially. The financial toxicity of living with a terminal cancer diagnosis cannot be overstated. I am thankful to have good insurance, but the out of pocket costs are still far beyond what any family can easily manage and the inability to work in the same way that I did before the diagnosis has changed our family’s budget. I am extremely thankful that the funds from the Alliance meant that I could attend without affecting my family at home.

Attending a conference, especially a conference that is outside one’s expertise, can be challenging; at the same time, the information and connections are invaluable. Knowing that there are organizations like the Alliance who support patients’ abilities to participate fully in their care by learning more about the diagnosis, is simply a necessity.