Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": September 2018

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.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

UT News: Breakthrough research at UT shows promise in treating drug-resistant form of deadly breast cancer

UT News » Blog Archive » Breakthrough research at UT shows promise in treating drug-resistant form of deadly breast cancer

UT Researchers Awarded Nearly Half a Million for Breast Cancer Research

"I was quoted in the below article on the Triple Negative Breast Research here in Toledo at UTMC that was awarded close to half a million in a national grant from Susan G. Komen. Thank you Dr. Amit Tawari for including me on your research team as your patient advocate mentor for this. I hope this research is the answer that all us TNBC survivors have been longing for." - Melissa Paskvan

Scientific breakthrough in Triple Negative Breast Cancer research being conducted at the University of Toledo:
https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2018/09/25/susan-komen-donates-ut-half-million-breast-cancer-research/stories/20180924231

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Remembering Lucy...

So hard to believe that you two are not with us anymore, Judi and Lucy. We all met in a local breast cancer support group and we all thought we had beaten cancer. Judi's breast cancer came back after 5 years, and was accidentally discovered by a chest x-ray where a spot was revealed on her lung.
Lucy, who was a 3 year Triple Negative Breast Cancer had a recurrence to her bones and lost her battle 19 months later in October 2016.

This is the last photo I had with both of these extremely brave ladies together, as we got together for the Komen survivor breakfast. With Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Komen Race for the Cure is fast approaching again, we are reminded of why and who we continue to fight for, for better treatments and a cure.

Please ladies, take care of yourself and do take the time to do your self breast-exams and keep up with your annual mammograms. Also, do something special for that special lady you know who have gone through this battle... and always remember those that remain in our hearts.