I promise

"I promise, Suzy... Even if it takes the rest of my life." -Nancy G. Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

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.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Remembering the Good Times... With Lisa

Yesterday, April 24, 2015, I lost a dear, friend Lisa Barmettler to Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). I connected with Lisa a few years ago through an online support group and met in person at Young Survival Coalition Conference in February 2013. Just 8 months out of treatment, it was at this conference when Lisa got the call from her doctor that her recent pet scan showed recurrence of her breast cancer to her pancreas and liver. Lisa was surrounded by many of her TNBC sisters that weekend... though it came as shock to all us and were saddened, we chose to enjoy and have fun with her and let the good times be a distraction to her. In October 2013, I traveled to Northern California for a TNBC sister's weekend at a friend's cabin in the mountains where once again, I met up with Lisa and spent time with her going wine tasting and going to Apple Hill checking out all the craft vendors and apple orchards and a mountain view of pine forest. Friends, this is the reason I continue to bring awareness to the disease that Lisa and I both shared. I will always big a big voice for TNBC and fund-raise for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to find our targeted therapy and a cure... for Lisa. May you be in eternal peace Lisa, you will be dearly missed by all of us.

Good times at Young Survival Coalition Conference 2013

Northern California TNBC Sisters Weekend 2013

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