Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": Breast Cancer Gene Mutation

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.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Breast Cancer Gene Mutation

Who should have genetic counseling and consider genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer?

• A woman age 50 or younger who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

• A woman of any age of has had ovarian cancer or who has a first-degree* relative diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

• Multiple breast or ovarian cancers (primary cancer) in a woman or a first degree relative.

• Any individual with multiple family members with breast or ovarian cancer.

• Any male with diagnosed breast cancer or individuals, male or female, with a family history of male breast cancer.

• An individual with triple negative breast cancer at age 60 or younger; triple negative means the cancer cells lack certain biomarkers that make the cells responsive to treatment.

• An individual of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

*First-degree relatives include parents, siblings and children.

Sources: National Comprehensive Cancer Network; and Melissa Dempsey, genetics counselor, Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Three women share their stories
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