Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": Honored to Speak at Lambie's Legacy Friends-giving Fundraiser

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.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Honored to Speak at Lambie's Legacy Friends-giving Fundraiser

https://www.utoledo.edu/centers/chsl

During my last mammogram, a few benign calcification was detected... I wasn't comfortable with these results without further investigation and contacted my doctor. Since I haven't had a breast MRI in a few years, one was recommended and ordered. I was hesitant with getting further testing because of my high deductible I would had to meet first with my health insurance before benefits would kick in, which meant out-of-pocket expenses for me... as I've been unemployed for the past year and with money being tight, I couldn't afford to take on more debt. I've discussed my concerns with Dr. Amy Thompson of University of Toledo's Center for Health and Successful Living.
Dr. Thompson told me to go forward with getting my MRI done and assured me that she can assist me with cost through a grant from the Lambie's Legacy Foundation that had also previously assisted me with the 3D imaging of my mammogram. My MRI did come back normal and I was relieved.

http://www.lambieslegacy.com

On November 18, 2015, I was invited to speak along with Dr. Amy Thompson and Dr. Timothy Jordan of UT Center for Health and Successful Living at a fundraiser, 6th Annual Cocktails for a Cause presented by Lambie's Legacy to raise funds to support their mission of patient support, health education and mammograms. In a room full of supporters, I was honored and thrilled to share my story of my breast cancer diagnosis and was able to personally thank The University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living and Lambie's Legacy for helping me with payment of my last scans to ensure that I take care of my breast health; and easing my anxiety of health concerns. This event was a really fun evening with great food, friends, music and raising about $50,000!
http://www.toledoblade.com/Our-Town-Home-Sylvania/Our-Town-Going-Out/2015/12/31/Toledo-area-wraps-up-a-year-of-generosity.html