Triple negative

Hi. I have recently finished treatment for triple negative breast cancer. I had my diagnosis in July followed by surgery, then 6 rounds of chemo and then radiotherapy. My breast care nurse told me not to look up info on triple negative cancer, but obviously I did and like you was extremely worried after reading pages and pages about it. I had the genetic testing done as I have cancer on both maternal and paternal sides, but this came back as negative. I saw the oncologist on Monday  and will have to have hormone therapy to reduce the risk of it returning. I was lucky that they caught mine early, so hadn’t spread. I’m still struggling with side effects from the chemo and radiotherapy, but on a plus note my eyelashes are starting to grow back.  I really wish you well with your surgery and treatment. X

Hello,

I don't know why they still classify TNBC as 'rare' because so many of us get it. 

The treatment is different from positive in that there are no hormone inhibitors to take after chemo and radiotherapy finish. Vigilance and annual mammograms are the key to detecting further problems. Five years without cancer is considered a good date and it is thought that same cancer is unlikely to recur after then. My own cancer was found in 2015 and I have a friend, also TNBC, whose cancer was removed in 2016. There are many of us posting on this site. Try not to worry, don't read too much because it's  usually out of date but be encouraged by the successful recovery rates. 

Take care. Love Karen.

Hi, sorry to hear your diagnosis and that you find yourself on this group. I too was diagnosed in November last year with triple negative. They decided to give me chemo first - FEC-T, I am currently going through that at the minute, only have 2 more sessions of this my last one being 29 April. Then it's surgery then possibly radiotherapy.  My lump was measured between 4 -5cm on MRI don't know the exact measurement but with further scan it is now shrinking. 

I too was told it's an aggressive cancer and was really worried but with treatments they have nowadays there good survival rate. Like other members on this group say don't read up too much about it. I stopped doing that and reverted to this group instead which is fantastic and really helpful in advice.

Hope everything goes well for you with surgery and chemo xx

I have recently finished my treatment for triple negative breast cancer (diagnosis was March 2021) .. had two rounds of surgery .. unfortunately had to have second surgery because there were not enough clear margins around area of tumour and the dcis removal .. first surgery also involved a reduction .. once surgeon signed me off in the September and I moved over to an oncologist things started to move at a very fast pace.. offered 6 rounds of chemotherapy (a round every 3 weeks) which would then be followed with 10 daily radiotherapy sessions .. last treatment day was 11 Feb .. and so it's done.. still awaiting my genetic blood test results though (keeping my fingers crossed for a negative return) .. this is the thing with triple negative .. no more treatment options.. annual mammogram and be vigilant is the advice .. I have however been invited to take part in a triple negative two part trial .. involves blood tests 4 times a year .. any changes in blood would involve moving over to the second part of the trial where they are testing a medication .. it gives me the feeling of still being on their radar treatment wise .. sending you positive thoughts and good luck wishes for your treatment journey .. 

Triple negative, by definition, does not respond to hormonal treatment and is not affected by hormones in any way. This is one of the reasons why, at some point, it got the bad name. However, there have been so many new treatments coming out for it, one that I am aware of just this year, that a lot of the old stuff on the internet is no longer relevant in that it does not take the current medical landscape into account. Nowadays, I tend to pay more attention to the staging than to the type, and even then, the statistics are getting better and better all the time. 

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in late 2020. I never needed radiotherapy, just systemic treatments and some surgeries. Each patient is assessed and given an individual treatment plan that is based on the current protocols and on that patient's individual medical circumstances.

I been diagnosed with triple negative cancer 2 weeks ago.  I have to have 18 weeks chemotherapy (starting next monday) and mastectomy after then radiotherapy.  Long road ahead but got to fight this  

I need to have 6 months of chemo followed by radiotherapy.  How long does each chemo session last?  Is it as a day patient?  I know about radiotherapy as my father has just undergone 15 sessions for throat cancer.  I'm just so nervous.  I do not know what to expect :( xx

Good luck.  You've got this!  My Toby will be gone next Wednesday yippee!! xx

My consultant explained to me that I may to have further surgery if the margins are not wide enough.  Good luck with the trial.  Thank you so much xx

Unknown said:

How long does each chemo session last?

Depends on the type of chemo, and to some degree on the patient too.

Normally they would do the first session slow, to see how the patient responds. Then, if all is well, they can do it faster during the following sessions, down to the minimum they are allowed. So basically, it is decided on patient tolerance and specific drug instructions.

So say, if the drug is to be administered over an hour, and you have to have a flush before and after (10 minutes each) then add time to settle in and being set up, you could be out of there within an hour and a half of walking in. Realistically, they don't always see you right on time, sometimes you have to wait a little and on occasion more than a little, but hospitals are not all the same.