Panel Discussion on Medical Updates on Breast Cancer Treatments 2018

On October 25, 2018, I attended a program at University of Toledo Dana Cancer Center on Individualized Breast Cancer Treatments with their professors and medical team.
A lot of advancement in breast-conserving surgeries that are currently being used in treatments. Also, the genetics of a cancer tumor is furthering research advancement in individualized drug therapies.  Below are  few screen shots of power points that were being discussed.

Pros and con of radiation therapy...

The way we treated breast cancer in 1882 to
the advancements and discoveries over
the years

The genetic make-up of a breast cancer tumor
is changing the way of research to
discover targeted therapies

Triple Negative Breast Cancer research
in trials for:BRCA positive, PIK3CA mutations
and Immunotherapy

30% of patients with early stage breast cancer
will experience a recurrence within
5 years of diagnosis, but...

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

UT Survivorship Conference 2016

On June 25, 2016, I was happy to be a vendor exhibitor representing Young Survival Coalition at The University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living Survivorship Conference.  As a Young Survival Coalition State Leader, I was able to provide young survivors with information about the resources that YSC has to offer and bring attention to the organization in my area.

Representing Young Survival Coalition with our
exhibit table

My beautiful friend, 
Breast cancer survivor, Barb Oxner

Guest speaker, Rev. April Hearn

Dr. Thompson

Celebrating National Cancer Survivor Month 2016

On June 9, 2016, met up with a few of my pink sisters at National Cancer Survivor Month Celebration presented by UTMC Dana Cancer Center.  Listen to a live performance by Stephanie who sang some of our favorite fight songs, "I Will Survive", Stronger" and "Roar!"  watched some survivor friends play cardio drumming that looks like a lot of fun, I must try this someday!  Food, cake, vendors and door prizes. I donated my door prize, a handmade pink ribbon blanket to the Dana Cancer Center Infusion Dept. to be given to a breast cancer patient who will just be starting her chemo treatments.  Thank you University of Toledo's Dana Cancer Center for celebrating us survivors!

Me and my Oncologist, Dr. Mohammed

My pink sisters Yvonne and
Rose cardio drumming

Keynote speaker and breast cancer
survivor, Michelle Ginovanoli and Melissa

Stephanie Roars!

Victory gals Rita, Carol, Areena and Melissa
Rita is a TNBC Survivor

National Cancer Survivor Month Celebration at UTMC 2015

Having a fun time with my pink sister, Jyll at Toledo's Dana Cancer Center on June 25, 2015.  Thank you UTMC for honoring us survivors!

Pink sisters, Melissa Paskvan and Jyll

Jyll, Dr. Amy Thompson and Melissa

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day 2015 at University of Toledo Medical Center

As a TNBC Day Champion chosen by the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, it was my commitment to support TNBC Day, March 3, 2015 by bringing awareness to this disease, Triple Negative Breast Cancer and our need to find a targeted therapy.  This TNBC subtype affected me 5½ years ago as I fought to triumph over cancer. It wasn't until after my treatments when I realized how greatly my diagnosis had an impact on me to keep telling my story of survival, because I am not the only one that fear the return of TNBC known as a recurrence. There has been numerous research, studies and clinical trials circling around Triple Negative Breast Cancer that led to identifying 7 sub-types of TNBC and early phase clinical trials of the drugs Carboplatin and PARP inhibitors that have shown positive results in metastatic TNBC. Scientists are still learning more  about TNBC, much of it surrounding the genetic make-up of the the tumor itself, and it is my hope that as all this data is being analyzed, a targeted therapy will soon be developed.  As new research data is presented, it is my motivation to keep the TNBC community updated and informed by helping the University of Toledo Medical Center arrange our 2nd annual TNBC Day presentation with several speakers discussing research findings, genetics and survivorship. I started my day with a Mediterranean luncheon at Barada's Restaurant with 2 of my survivor sisters, Jyll and Melissa J; latte's at Bigby's coffee house; TNBC conference discussion ending with a donation jar with offerings to the TNBC Foundation to fund continued research of this disease.  
Also, this is my 3rd straight year in setting up a TNBC Day fundraising page to encourage others to support TNBC day with hosting an event and/or support an existing event in efforts in bringing attention and funding to this disease. This year, I am proud to say that I have personally raised $481 and over $1800 in donations over the past 3 years for my fundraising for TNBC Foundation's research projects. March 31st is the last day to officially support my online fundraising, thank you. http://TNBCDay2015.kintera.org/differentshadeofpink

Girls day with pink sisters Jyll, Melissa J. and Melissa P.

Thank you Dr. Mohamed for making this event possible!

Dr. Helen Mabry discussed Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Displaying my "Hope for More Tomorrows" awareness

"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!

TNBCDay 2014 with Dr. Mohamed at UTMC

What started as an email I sent to my oncologist seeking their input of what more can we do to raise awareness of Triple Negative Breast Cancer for TNBC Awareness Day... 
Dr. Mohamed and the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) put together a very well-organized and educational program with several speakers sharing information on various survivorship topics. I was excited when my Oncology Nurse had asked me to be one of the speakers and talk about moving pass breast cancer and being a voice for TNBC. I had a few of my TNBC sisters present from our support group which was very nice. Thank you Dr. Mohamed, Jan Tipton and all of the UTMC speakers in making this conference a success in bringing awareness to our local community.

My Story...
My name is Melissa and I am a 4 year Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor. In 2009, I found my lump by chance when I felt something under my breast. My mammogram did NOT detect my 2cm tumor because of having dense breast tissues. It was thought to be just a cyst, but I insisted on a needle biopsy right then and there. Then I received the dreaded call from my doctor. I'm 41 and I have breast cancer.  I learned that I had a rare and aggressive form of cancer that doesn't respond to hormone therapy, Triple Negative Breast Cancer. 
I spoke of early detection and the importance of self-breast exams and that TNBC tumors are not always detected on mammogram.  I spoke of TNBC is striking young women as early as age 24 that I personally know of. 

Moving forward after cancer... 
Nearing the end of my treatments I felt lost, life after cancer treatments was a lot harder than when I was going through it. People seem to think that when you're done with treatments and is cancer free that it's done and over, put it behind you, things can go back to normal... Only if it was that easy. I've struggled some... the life I once had, there's no going back to...

The Victory Center...
I turned to a local cancer wellness center for support, trying to figure out my new "normal" and live again.  I immediately got involved in their Breast Cancer Support Group where I was surrounded by people who didn't mind talking about cancer, sharing stories and who "get it."  The support group has helped me rejuvenate my self-image and ease the transition that I've been going through.

People I've met along the way...
I have met several other TNBC Survivors through an online support group and bonded with several of the women. I have met up with TNBC Sisters at different conferences, support groups and have traveled from as far as Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina and California to meet up with my TNBC ladies.

My Blog...
I have created a blog, "Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I Won't Back Down!" documenting my journey to keep my family and friends informed of my prognosis. Journalizing was therapeutical for me as a way of expressing my feelings on the journey I'm on. My blogs expresses how I moved forward with postings and photos of breast cancer events that I participated in, meeting other breast cancer survivors and living life again. After treatments were over, I wanted to turn my blog into a more of an informational and inspirational site for TNBC awareness; posting latest research articles, inspiring stories and memorials on my TNBC pink sisters.  With my blog site, I have reached out to people all over the world reaching many countries in every continent with over 133,000 views to my site. My hope is that my site will help others to have hope, give them the strength to fight and to provide resources to get them the information they need to know about this TNBC subtype.

Our Sisterhood... 
We are an unique Sisterhood that are bonded by our uncommon disease.
I keep fighting for those that are still fighting, those that are too weak to fight and those that can no longer fight. I stand next to each and everyone of you sisters and fight, my fight is not over till all of my sisters are safe. Never lose sight of hope.  Have hope for a targeted therapy, and hope for more tomorrows. 

Quote from TNBC sister who passed at the age of 35:

"Our support group, we are never just one alone... The fears, the tears, the stress, the anxiety, the worry, and the pain are shared among all of us women in our group."

Dr. Mohamed

Melissa showing where she found her lump

YES!

Pink Sisters, Jyll and I LIVING LIFE!

My pink ladies Jyll, Melissa, Rita and Diane

My Story of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day in Toledo at UTMC on 3.3.14

Public invited to learn about aggressive subtype of breast cancer; RSVP by Feb. 28
By Samantha Watson : February 25th, 2014

The most successful breast cancer treatments target three receptors, but what happens when none of these receptors are present?

That’s the case in patients who are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a rare and sometimes aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Their condition is the focus of a new public outreach effort.

The University of Toledo Medical Center will host “A Different Shade of Pink” Monday, March 3, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in recognition of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day to educate the public about the disease. The event will be held at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center.

Triple negative breast cancer occurs when estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 — the three receptors known to fuel breast cancer — aren’t present.

Because only 15 of every 100 breast cancer diagnoses are triple negative, many are unaware of what the disease entails and what options are available for treatment. The disease also is often hard to diagnose because it is more common in younger women and is not always detected in mammograms.

“I had a friend pass away from triple negative breast cancer a year ago at age 26,” said Melissa Paskvan, UT Medical Center patient who was diagnosed with this type of breast cancer in 2009 and has been in remission for four years. “A lot of people think it’s a grandma’s disease, but it’s not. It could strike anyone at any time.”

Topics for the “A Different Shade of Pink” event will include treatment options, clinical trials, genetic testing, the role of exercise, survivorship services and more. The event will begin with a social hour and food with the program starting at 6 p.m.

“One of the important roles of an academic medical center like UTMC is education and outreach,” said Dr. Iman Mohamed, associate dean of medical school admissions and chief of the UTMC Division of Hematology and Oncology. “We invite anyone impacted by triple negative breast cancer or those curious about the disease to attend this event and learn more about it.”

“I hope people walk out of this feeling more informed of this disease and the treatments available,” Paskvan said.

To hear Paskvan’s story, read her blog at mlsspaskvan.blogspot.com. Paskvan also is raising money for triple negative breast cancer; donations can be made at tnbcday2014.kintera.org/tnbcsistersunite_melissa.

To RSVP to the “A Different Shade of Pink” event, email Janelle Tipton, oncology clinical nurse specialist, at Janelle.Tipton@utoledo.edu by Friday, Feb. 28.

UT News » Blog Archive » Public invited to learn about aggressive subtype of breast cancer; RSVP by Feb. 28

Toledo's UTMC's Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center to host Triple Negative Breast Cancer Conference 3.3.14