Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": February 2015

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, February 24, 2015

Joan Lunden Shares Her Triple Negative Breast Cancer Story With Cure Magazine

In the 2015 Winter Issue of Cure Magazine, Joan Lunden opens up with her own experience with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Joan discusses having dense breast tissue that led her to advocate for ultrasound... and also talks of her choice to have pre-surgical chemotherapy and the addition of a carboplatin to the chemotherapy regimen.
Click link to story:
http://www.curetoday.com/publications/cure/2015/winter2015/a-two-way-street-joan-lunden-shares-her-cancer-experience/2

Monday, February 23, 2015

TNBC Day 2015 Embraces "Hope for More Tomorrows"

http://TNBCDay2015.kintera.org/differentshadeofpink

You see, this disease is not about me, it's about us... all of us are trying to make sense of this TNBC sub-type as new research emerges only to learn that this disease is even more complicated and a targeted treatment is yet to be discovered. As a 5 year survivor, my fight is not over until all of us TNBC sisters are safe. The fear of recurrence is real, me and my TNBC sisters all fear it. I've seen too many TNBC sisters depart after exhausting many clinical trials and a fierce tiring battle. That is why I am so passionate about keeping TNBC awareness in the forefront and continue to encourage breast self-exams as early detection is critical in TNBC survival. I am a huge supporter of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation and am very grateful for their continued dedication to all survivors and families as a credible source of information, support network and for their commitment to funding scientists researching Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
I am honored to join The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation as a TNBC Day Champion, as I focus my energy to educate young women on the importance of breast health; and efforts to raise funds to support research in need of finding our targeted therapy. Please join us in making an impact today! Embrace hope, Hope for more tomorrows...
Click on link to make a donation supporting my event and The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation on TNBC Day March 3, 2015.
http://TNBCDay2015.kintera.org/differentshadeofpink

All online donations are automatically and directed to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation safely upon submission and TNBCF will dedicate 100% of funds to research.

Thank you kindly, Melissa Paskvan

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" - Helen Keller

Saturday, February 21, 2015

"A Different Shade of Pink", Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day 2015

TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER
“A Different Shade of Pink”

Conquer triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) on TNBC day - March 3, 2015! Join the faculty and staff of UTMC’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center for an evening of fun and education. Learn about the latest TNBC issues and treatments, including how to stay healthy!

When:        Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Time:        Social Hour (5:30 PM), Program 6-7:30 PM
Location:    Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center (Atrium) on The University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 1325 Conference Drive (off Glendale Ave),  Toledo, OH 43614

Topics Include:    Treatment Options, Clinical Trials, Genetic Testing,  The Role of Exercise, Survivorship Services and more.
Come join us for food, fellowship, and fun!

Please call 419-383-5170 to RSVP or send an e-mail to Janelle.Tipton@utoledo.edu by Friday, February 27. We look forward to seeing you for this special event to educate and empower!

Friday, February 20, 2015

Survivorship Celebration at Toledo Women's Basketball Rockets for the Cure 2015

Ana Capotosto #32

Pre-game mexican fiesta party and a day celebrating survivorship with my pink sisters as we sat among the 5,056 fans cheering on our Toledo Women Rockets on February 7, 2015. Tho, our lady rockets fell to Ball State, 69-61, they're played a great game and helped raise money for the fight against breast cancer in Northwest Ohio. Thank you Toledo Rockets and Komen for bringing breast health awareness to all that attended.

Diane, Beth, Melissa P., Rita, Lori
and Melissa J.

Jyll and Melissa

"My Victory Center support system"

Us pink sisters with Chrys Peterson
Jyll, Lori, Karen, Melissa and Chrys

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Talking Triple Negative Breast Cancer

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2015

8 - 9 p.m. ET, #LBBCchat

On Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day, March 3, 2015, Living Beyond Breast Cancer will host a 1-hour Twitter Chat about TNBC. Our panelists will help you:

understand your treatment options for triple-negative disease
learn more about triple-negative breast cancer, including the latest research
discover practical tools to help you physically and emotionally enrich your daily life

Click on link for more information:
http://www.lbbc.org/Events/2015-03-03-Twitter-Chat-TNBC

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Named National Breast Cancer Nonprofit of the Year 2014

...Awarded by the Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine. Read the 2015 Winter issue of BCW Magazine, page 22 for further details. Congrats to the TNBC Foundation, I am so proud of this organization for all they do to help us TNBC survivors.
Click on link: http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/bcw-maga…/recent-issues/

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day 2015: Meet Our Champions

Melissa Paskvan/OH
Blogger and TNBC Survivor

My name is Melissa Paskvan and I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer at age 41. During my treatments I started journaling, documenting my journey through writing and photos which was very therapeutic for me as I coped with my diagnosis.
My writings and content continues today through my blog, "Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I Won't Back Down!", reaching out to women across the globe, to give them hope and strength to fight; and to provide resources to educate my readers about TNBC.
You see, this disease is not about me, it's about us... all of us are trying to make sense of this TNBC sub-type as new research emerges only to learn that this disease is even more complicated and a targeted treatment is yet to be discovered. As a 5 year survivor, my fight is not over until all of us TNBC sisters are safe. The fear of recurrence is real, me and my TNBC sisters all fear it. I've seen too many TNBC sisters depart after exhausting many clinical trials and a fierce tiring battle. That is why I am so passionate about keeping TNBC awareness in the forefront and continue to encourage breast self-exams as early detection is critical in TNBC survival. I am a huge supporter of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation and am very grateful for their continued dedication to all survivors and families as a credible source of information, support network and for their commitment to funding scientists researching Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
I am honored to join The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation as a TNBC Day Champion, as I focus my energy to educate young women on the importance of breast health; and efforts to raise funds to support research in need of finding our targeted therapy. Please join us in making an impact today! Embrace hope, Hope for more tomorrows...
Click on link to make a donation supporting my event and The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation on TNBC Day March 3, 2015.
http://TNBCDay2015.kintera.org/differentshadeofpink

Thank you, Melissa Paskvan

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" - Helen Keller

Click link to read more champion stories:
http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/tnbcday2015/champions.htm#samuels

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

I promise