Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": 6 Things To Know About Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Infographic)

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.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

6 Things To Know About Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Infographic)

TNBC sister, Ann Pietrangelo had written an article published on Care2.com in regards to TNBCDay 3.3.2014 on some basic facts of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) . The point that Ann wanted to get across to her readers is that breast cancer is not a single disease. There are several subtypes of breast cancer with TNBC being aggressive and lacking in long term treatment.

Ann quoted me in her article on the positives of my TNBC journey:

"TNBC survivor Melissa Paskvan says, “I have met many amazing TNBC survivors throughout my journey that I consider as my extended family. We TNBC sisters, we ‘get it.’ We are a unique Sisterhood bonded by our uncommon disease and I embrace it.”

"Ms. Paskvan continues, “I keep fighting alongside those who are still fighting, those who are too weak to fight, and for those who can no longer fight. My fight is not over until all of my sisters are safe. Never lose sight of hope, hope to find our targeted therapy and hope for more tomorrows.”