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.
On November 27th 2015, several of my breast cancer sisters from University of Toledo's Center for Health and Successful Living met at their office for a tailgate party prior to the UT's Rockets football game. Though it was chilly and rainy we braved the walk to the stadium and watch the football game taking on Western Michigan Broncos. Partway through the game, us breast cancer survivors were called out onto to the field to be recognized for our survivorship.
