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.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Face of a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor...

Me spreading TNBC Awareness

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Lucas County Relay for Life 2017

A cold day on May 19, 2017 but that did not stop us Victory Gals from going out and support our local Relay for Life at Maumee High School.

Finishing the fight! with Penny and Carol

Supporting Cancer Research Funding

Shout out to The Victory gals!
Carol and Melissa

Carol and Melissa with the Armadillo

Thank you The Victory Center!

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Detroit Tigers Pink Out the Park 2017

Pink sisters Melissa and Lynnette

Thank you Lynnette for this invite to be one of your guests to Detroit Tigers Pink out the Park on May 17, 2017. I really enjoyed your company and the breast cancer awareness experience that came along with the game. Lynnette and I belong to the same support group in my area and have met up at many awareness events over the years.
Always a true Tigers fan since I was a kid and always wanted my pic with Detroit Tigers mascot, Paws...
Here's the photos!

PAWS!

PAWS, I love this tiger!

Finally got my pic taken with Paws and in pink!

Pink sisters Pam, Lynnette and Melissa with Paws

Us survivors on the infield being honored

Selfie with the Orioles boys!

Detroit welcomes the Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles lovin the pink sisters

A lot of pink cheering for the Detroit Tigers!

Pink sisters Melissa, Pam and Lynnette

Bobbleheads!

Pink out the Park, just beautiful!

Sunday, May 7, 2017

U of M, Ann Arbor Breast Cancer Summit 2017

The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) was invited by University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center to have an informational vender table at their Breast Cancer Summit in Ann Arbor, MI. on May 6, 2017. Maureen and I represented YSC at this event telling young women about support services and resources that YSC offers.

U of M Breast Cancer Summit

Young Survival Coalition State Leaders
Breast cancer survivors
Melissa and Maureen

Maureen talking about YSC

Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Survivors, Melissa and Tresse

Cancer research panel discussion

Monday, May 1, 2017

Komen Ladies Night Out 2017

April 30, 2017, supporting Komen of Northwest Ohio at Ladies Night Out at The Appliance Center for fun and fundraising. A night of food tastings, a fashion show and many raffles brings Northwest Ohio area women together to benefit the fight against breast cancer.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer sisters, Melissa and Deb K.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Toledo Walleye Back to Back Win at Pink in the Rink Weekend 2017

Toledo Walleye 3-2 win over Brampton Beast at Pink in the Rink on March 5, 2017 for game 2 of breast cancer awareness weekend. For me, the highlight of the game, I was invited by Komen of NW Ohio to be their survivor guest and ride on the Zamboni during 1st intermission.
Also, I was asked to provide a short 3 sentence bio of myself that would be be read over their loudspeaker announcement during my Zamboni ride.
I was thrilled and honored to be Komen's survivor guest and was totally stoked to take advantage of this opportunity to bring awareness to Triple Negative Breast Cancer and to send out a message of hope to other survivors.

"Melissa Paskvan was diagnosed in 2009 with Triple Negative Breast Cancer at the age of 41 after finding a lump during a self exam. 7 years cancer free now, Melissa is very active in the breast cancer community bringing much awareness to this very aggressive disease, Triple Negative Breast Cancer that is affecting much younger women. Melissa would like to express to survivors and caregivers to never lose sight of hope, hope for more tomorrows."

Got my helmet on!

So excited for the Zamboni!

Ready for the breast cancer survivor
Zamboni ride!

Thank you Toledo Walleye!

Thank you Komen of NW Ohio!

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Toledo Walleye Pink in the Rink March 4, 2017

Always proud to support my local sports teams, breast cancer awareness and Komen fundraising in my community. Thank you Komen of Northwest Ohio for supporting uninsured women in our community with grant money to local organizations to make sure these ladies have access to life saving mammograms!

Pink in the Rink, Toledo!

I Won't Back Down!

My biggest supporter, Muddonna

Pink sisters, Carol and Melissa

Paint the rink pink... Team Holly,
Knock out Triple Negative!

Let's go Walleye!

Team Power Rangers!

Toledo Walleye vs Kalamazoo Wings

Toledo Walleye win!

Thursday, March 2, 2017

TNBC Day 2017

Working with Dr. Iman Mohamed and Jan Tipton of University of Toledo Dana Cancer Center to bring our annual Triple Negative Breast Cancer, A Different Shade of Pink educational event held on March 1, 2017 in honor of TNBC Awareness Day.

genetics counselor, Colette Gaba

Know your risk...

Consider genetics if diagnosed with TNBC before the age 60...

TNBC may be associated with inherited mutations

TNBC Survivors

TNBC supporters

Dr. Iman Mohamed explains TNBC is a heterogenous group of
tumors with an absence of Her2, ER and PR that can be further
divided into different subtypes.