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

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, October 22, 2023

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023

My repair truck

Thank you Chevy! - Sylvania, OH.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Casting for Recovery Reunion 2021

After dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic during 2020 and 2021 and being so isolated from everyone, I so needed this get-away weekend for the Casting for Recovery Alumni Reunion in May 2021.

Indian Bear Lodge

The vineyard beyond the pond

Indian Bear Lodge country

Girl's weekend getaway reunion

Across the field... Indian Bear Winery

Finally, we're all together!

Sipping wine with the ladies

Girl talk

Taking in the gorgeous scenery

Exploring the grounds

The beauty of hiking

Enjoying the sunset

Kitty came to visit us

Enjoying the view

Margarita time!

Not missing the city life!

Simply beautiful

Us Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sisters

So happy to see this kitty again 2 years later

I love this kitty!

Love these wood carvings

Kathleen W. and Melissa traveled
from Toledo

All us breast cancer survivors meeting up at
Casting for Recovery reunion 2021

"Enhancing the quality of life of women with breast cancer"

https://castingforrecovery.org

Saturday, July 31, 2021

BRAVING CHEMO To University of Toledo Dana Cancer Center

Jan, Nursing Director
and Melissa

Made a delivery of 5 copies of BRAVING CHEMO

to the University of Toledo Dana Cancer Center for patients undergoing treatment.

Also, hand-delivered a copy to a special friend who had just started chemotherapy.

Thank you again Beverly Zavaleta MD for your kindness of your sponsored books donation to help patients in my local community!

Order your copy here: BRAVING CHEMO

Jan, Nursing Director of University of
Toledo Dana Cancer Center

Your hard work & dedication to improving the lives of people undergoing #chemotherapy for #breastcancer is appreciated! - Beverly Zavaleta, MD

Thank you @mlsspaskvan for being an amazing #PatientAdvocated! - Beverly Zavaleta, MD

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Luncheon Celebration 2021

Finally got together on March 30, 2021 with these amazing cancer researchers of The University of Toledo, celebrating Dr. Amit Tiwari's $1.4 million DOD grant fund awarded to continue their preclinical study to have a better understanding of how the chemical structure of his promising drug discovery targets a certain protein to induce cancer cell death in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cells.

As a patient advocate, I am excited to share with our TNBC Community, Dr. Tiwari has discovered a compound that causes a unique cancer cell death where the cells swell and burst. With this approach, markers are released that signals the body's immune system to target and destroy even the most resistant Triple Negative Breast Cancer cells. Thus far, this has been proven effective in mice models and human cancer cells in the lab.

Dr. Tiwari's compound discovery of overcoming multi-drug resistance that has often been seen in Triple Negative Breast Cancer, brings much hope to us TNBC survivors. We need to continue to support Dr. Tiwari and his team to advance their research to human clinical trials. We so need better treatment options when current chemotherapy treatments stops working.

Dr. Raman, Dr. Tang, Melissa and Dr. Tiwari

"Thank you Melissa for sharing our wonderful meeting with you, Drs. Raman and Tang. They were equally delighted to meet you. Thank you for community outreach and being an integral part of our team. We are blessed to have you." - Dr. Amit K. Tiwari

Monday, May 3, 2021

Braving Chemo by Beverly A. Zavaleta, MD

Melissa and TVC Program
Director, Lisa

Sharing with Toledo's cancer wellness center, The Victory Center, book sponsored copies of "Braving Chemo" by physician becoming patient, Beverly A. Zavaleta, MD, who is also a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor.

Through "Braving Chemo", Dr. Zavaleta, a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor gives her personal insights on her cancer chemotherapy journey on:

What to Expect?
How to Prepare?
How to get through it?

For more information about "Braving Chemo" and ordering your own copy at: BRAVING CHEMO

THE VICTORY CENTER

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

TNBCDay Throughout the Month of March

Bringing attention to our fight against Triple Negative Breast Cancer and the much needed research for better treatment options.

My name is Melissa Paskvan and I am a 12 yr. TNBC survivor. The ladies that I’ve met on this path I’ve been traveling on, they all inspire me, as we were brought together because of our TNBC fight. I have great compassion and a strong connection with these ladies in my sisterhood. I continue to fight for those who are still battling this dreaded disease… until we’re all safe! I will pray that passionate researchers would soon make a breakthrough in our much-needed therapy for TNBC patients who fail to respond to currently available chemotherapy.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day is the only global event dedicated to raising both awareness and funds exclusively for triple negative breast cancer. 100% of all donations received during March will be dedicated exclusively to TNBC research.

"Alone We Can Do So Little. Together We Can Do So Much!" - Helen Keller

Click to donate:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/melissa-paskvan

UT College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Spotlight

Shout out to Dr. Amit K. Tiwari for his continued promising research against Triple Negative Breast Cancer!

"Thank you Melissa. Breast Cancer Research advocate like you keep me and my team moving. You are such a blessing to have. Thank you!"
- Dr. Amit K. Tiwari

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The University of Toledo's Researcher, Dr. Amit Tiwari Awarded $1.4 Million to Advance Research in Promising New Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Melissa Paskvan
and Dr. Tiwari

My TNBC researcher here in Toledo was just awarded another grant, this time from U.S. Department of Defense for $1.4 million to further his research in overcoming drug resistance in treatment therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I am so proud to be a part of University of Toledo's Dr. Amit Tiwari's research team as their Patient Advocate Mentor for continued research on Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Congratulations to D. Tiwari and his amazing team! I am glad that we found each other as partners in this fight against TNBC!

(Click link to story)

UToledo Awarded $1.4 Million to Advance New Chemotherapy for Difficult-to-Treat Breast Cancer

"We are glad that you are part of our team. Thank you for your wonderful spirit and passion to keep us moving forward." - Dr. Amit K. Tiwari

Thursday, July 30, 2020

YSC Summit Atlanta 2015

Weekend fun with my breast cancer sisters in Hotta-Lanta to Connect, Educate and Empower at the annual Young Survival Coalition Summit in March of 2016.

Thank you Young Survival Coalition for bringing all us ladies together, support like no other.

Connect, Educate, Empower
Young Survival Coalition opening remarks

Dusty Showers and Melissa

Cocktail hour with these lovely ladies

TNBC sisters, Melissa and Traci Gordon

Opening reception
Rachel, Melissa, Angie, Tammie, Angela,
Roxanne, Natalia and Alexandra

TNBC sisters Roxanne Martinez
and Melissa

TNBC sisters Sara Kouten and Melissa

TNBC sisters Melissa
and Kate Vithanage

TNBC sisters Melissa and Natalia Munoz

TNBC sisters Angela Munoz
and Melissa

TNBC sisters Vicki, Alexandra, Melissa,
Karen and Jeanna

Breast cancer sisters Melissa and
Charlene Cornelia

TNBC sisters Melissa and Dulce Santiago

Breast cancer sisters and
roommate Tammie Turpen
and Melissa

TNBC sisters Melissa and
Roxanne Martinez

Breast cancer sisters Melissa
and Sarah Roselli

Breast cancer survivors
Melissa, YSC CEO Jennifer Merschdorf
and Tammie

TNBC sisters Alexandra Cortes
and Melissa

TNBC sisters
Jeanna Hollar and Melissa

TNBC sisters Lisa Southerland O'Connor
and Melissa

Melissa and Sami Mansfield
from Nutrition and
Exercise session

I love seeing these lovely ladies every year at YSC!
Survivors and Vendor Exhibitors:
Dulce, Laura MacGregor of Hope Scarves, Melissa,
Stori Nagel of Haus of Volta, Tiffany Ramos
and Courtney Lercara of Pink Wings

TNBC sisters Melissa and
Karen Barnes Bryars

From Beyond Boobs, Rene Bowditch
The Good Health Fairy and Melissa

Sisterhood Forever, Melissa
and Young Survival Coalition CEO
Jennifer Merschdorf

TNBC sisters Melissa and Tonya

The Saturday night survivor dance party!
Dulce, Kate, Vicky, Natalia, Alex, Sara,
Lisa, Angie, Lori Flowers, Melissa,
Mary Farrell Ajango, Angela, Tammie,
Michelle, Shanese, Jeanna and Charlene