What is TNBC

WHAT IS TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER?

Just in recent years, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) has sparked interest in the news where instead of calling the tumor as ER-negative, PR-negative, and HER2-negative; researchers began using the shorthand term, "Triple Negative," dubbed the "new type" of breast cancer. Being Triple Negative, you don't have a targeted therapy and your only treatment option is chemotherapy.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer is seen in about 15% of all breast cancers. TNBC is a very aggressive cancer that tends to strike younger women, pre-menopause, especially among African-American women and women who have BRCA1 mutations. The tumor tends to be fast growing and is less likely to show up on an annual mammogram. TNBC is more likely to metastasis early on; has a high rate of recurrence in the first 2-3 years from diagnosis and has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer due to lack of specific, targeted treatment for TNBC.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

What Are The Effects Of Caffeine On Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Survivorship?

November 2012 Ask the Expert: Diet and Nutrition After Breast Cancer

Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, epidemiologist, author and speaker. She is an internationally recognized expert in nutrition, chronic disease prevention, cancer epidemiology and health and wellness.

http://www.lbbc.org/Learning-From-Others/Ask-the-Expert/2012-11-Nutrition-and-Diet

Question: What are the effects of caffeine on triple-negative breast cancer survivorship?

Ms. Dixon: Regarding caffeine, you’re in the clear in terms of breast cancer risk. This applies to both estrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancer subtypes.

Studies do not show a measurable link between caffeine consumption and risk of breast cancer or recurrence. Even in countries with very high intake of caffeine from coffee and tea, such as the Scandinavian countries, research does not support a link between caffeine and breast cancer.

However, I do believe the source of caffeine matters. If your caffeine comes from coffee and tea that is fine, as long as you are not having so much that you experience negative side effects such as insomnia or anxiety. Also, if you have high blood pressure, a rapid heart rate or other cardiovascular issues, you should keep caffeine intake moderate. Talk to your doctor about how much caffeine is safe for you to have.

Caffeine from soda, however, should not be a regular part of anyone’s diet. If you enjoy soda, you should have it as an occasional treat, but drinking soda daily is not a healthy habit. With both coffee and tea, you get some added benefit in the form of antioxidants and other nutrients that are linked with better health. You get excessive amounts of sugar if you drink regular soda or synthetic sweeteners if you drink diet, neither of which are linked with good health.