S**t We Deal With Shorts: Time Burden with Dr. Jill Tirabassi

Living with metastatic breast cancer isn't just about medical treatments—it's a significant time commitment that impacts every aspect of daily life. In this episode of "S**T We Deal With Shorts," Dr. Jill Tirabassi examines a 2025 JAMA Network Open study that quantifies exactly how much time patients with metastatic breast and ovarian cancer spend managing their disease.The research reveals eye-opening statistics: patients averaged one out-of-home cancer-related visit per week, with travel and wait times often exceeding actual care time. At home, cancer-related tasks consumed a median of 209 minutes per week—from taking medications to managing medical bills and scheduling appointments. For over one-third of participants, these demands disrupted their daily activities more than half the time.While most patients in the study spent 5-15 hours per week on cancer-related care—not quite the "full-time job" often described—the burden is far from insignificant. Jill brings her dual perspective as both a physician and someone living with MBC to explore how treatment lines, side effects, and care logistics impact our time and lives.This episode validates what many in the MBC community already know: managing advanced cancer requires substantial time and energy beyond what appears on any scan or lab result.Article: Time Burden in Patients with Metastatic Breast and Ovarian Cancer From Clinic and Home Demands,JAMA Network Open, December 2025Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links. Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer.Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.