The Science of Survivorship Every Day Counts Study Improves Life for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Every Day Counts Participants and ResearchersMore women are living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) than ever before. Thanks to advances in targeted therapies, survival has improved dramatically, transforming MBC from a terminal diagnosis to something many women live with for years.

But with longer survival come new challenges. Many women experience persistent fatigue, weight gain, muscle loss, and emotional distress that can make everyday life difficult. These side effects—especially common among younger women and women of color—are rarely addressed during routine care, and women with MBC are often left out of studies focused on recovery, rehabilitation, and survivorship.

The Every Day Counts (EDC) study, led by investigators at the MCW Cancer Center and Loyola University Chicago, aims to change that. The 16-week lifestyle intervention was designed specifically for women with stable MBC, not just to improve their daily wellness but to understand what’s happening inside their bodies when they make small, manageable changes to how they eat, move, and manage their health.

“We’re not just looking at how women feel,” said Melinda Stolley, PhD, EDC co-principal investigator and program co-leader of the Center’s Cancer Control Research Program. We’re looking at how their bodies function, how their cells respond, and how these changes might help them tolerate treatment better or live longer.”

Women in the study are randomly assigned to one of two groups: the lifestyle intervention or a control group that focuses on home and work organization. After 16 weeks, all participants transition into the lifestyle program, allowing researchers to rigorously evaluate the impact of the intervention while ensuring every woman receives meaningful support.

“The program combines personalized coaching, supervised exercise, plant-based nutrition guidance, and self-monitoring tools like Fitbits and progress trackers,” added Dr. Stolley. “But what makes EDC unique is that it doesn’t stop at the surface. We also collect blood samples and physical performance data to explore how lifestyle changes impact key biological markers—like inflammation, insulin resistance, and lean muscle mass—that are known to influence symptoms, treatment side effects, and even cancer outcomes.”

Although results will not be available until the end of the study, comments from participants indicate they are gaining strength, have less fatigue, and better mood. Perhaps most importantly, they’re gaining a renewed sense of control.

Hear from the Survivors Making Every Day Count

Keeshia Jones, member of the Center’s Community Advisory Board, first encountered EDC at a crucial moment. For years she had regular mammograms with little to no concern. But in 2018 she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, which later metastasized in 2023. In 2024, she joined the program through the control group. 

“I joined at a time when I knew I needed more than just medical treatment,” she said. “I needed a way to support myself in the day-to-day.”

When she transitioned from the control group into the lifestyle group, the impact was immediate. 

“[With my diagnosis] I lost a range of motion in my shoulder and my grip strength wasn’t that great, but now I can do everyday things again—like lifting heavier objects or reaching the top cabinet in the kitchen,” she said. “My coach has worked with me to regain that strength. She reminds me that small, consistent actions—whether it's a short walk with my dog or cutting up peppers for a healthy snack—can have impact not only on your physical health but also on your mental health, too.”

As Director of Healthcare and Community Partnerships at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Jones is no stranger to the challenges patients face after a diagnosis. Still, when she joined EDC, she was surprised by how much positivity it brought to her life. With her busy lifestyle, she appreciated the program’s flexibility. Following her diagnosis, she didn’t just engage with ABCD, she also became an active volunteer with local support organizations like the American Cancer Society and Sisters Network Southeast Wisconsin.

“They helped me remember to show up not only for my family—but for myself. It sounds a little cheesy, but they are helping me remember that every day counts. The group is very intentional about giving you the tools to shape your life and help you accomplish small, accountable goals,” said Jones.

While Jones began with the program’s broader organizational framework, survivor Linda Duhacek entered the program through the lifestyle track. Diagnosed in 2020 and then again in 2023, she joined the program in 2024 seeking tools to help her reclaim a sense of structure.

“[Before EDC], I was trying to stay active and eat right, but nothing was working. The program has really helped me understand the importance of planning ahead. My health coach always said, ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’ That has stuck with me,” said Duhacek.

Duhacek credits the program with helping her manage fatigue and depression—challenges that have lingered with her since her diagnosis. The program has pushed her to stay active at the YMCA and plan her meals ahead of time. “I am happy they’ve convinced us to get out of the house more, and I can now feel the difference when I don’t go to the gym. It’s not just physical—it’s mental,” she added.

Duhacek’s commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed by her husband of 41 years, who now joins her on workouts. She’s even seeing improvements out on the softball field. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, she’s still lacing up her cleats each week to get out on that diamond and has been for 13 years. “I can’t sprint anymore, but I’m out there. I show up. That’s what matters. And EDC has reminded me not to stop doing the things I love,” she said. 

“The program has really helped me understand the importance of planning ahead. My health coach always said, ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’ That has stuck with me,” said Duhacek.

A New Vision for People Living with Cancer

As survival rates improve, the MCW Cancer Center is rethinking what it means to support people living with cancer. Survivorship is no longer a stage that begins after treatment but an ongoing experience, especially for those living with incurable but manageable disease.
“One of our participants went from doing 10 sit-to-stands during her fitness test to 16 just a few weeks later. That’s not just a number, that’s strength and confidence at work,” said Dr. Stolley.  

Looking ahead, Dr. Stolley and the research team hope EDC becomes a national model, informing how cancer care teams support quality of life for the growing number of people living long-term with advanced disease. “We’re not just focused on surviving—we’re focused on thriving,” she said. “And these women are showing us what that really looks like.”