Newly diagnosed and waiting for a treatment plan for triple negative bc

  • 4 replies
  • 276 subscribers
  • 372 views

Hi, I am 3 weeks diagnosed after a routine mammogram picked up an area of concern in my right breast.  I had a recall to a breast centre where they carried out more mammograms, ultrasound of breast and armpit and took biopsies as they picked up a further smaller area on the ultrasound, they placed a titanium marker in the smaller area. I was called in a week earlier than anticipated for the results where they confirmed an area of 20mm was stage 1 primary breast cancer that was not in any lymph nodes but the smaller area of 9mm was undetermined so they recommended a vacuum assisted excision with biopsy.  I was fortunate enough to have this procedure carried out 5 days later at a breast centre that was further away but had sooner appointments.  I got the news this week that this 9mm had all been removed during the excision and was benign and have now been referred to the local hospital for a treatment plan. I asked the doctor what type of breast cancer I had and she explained in very detailed technical terms which I did not understand at all.  Yesterday I had a call from the hospital to let me know that my case had been discussed at the multi disciplinary meeting and I need an mri scan before they can make their decisions about the best course of action for me.  I asked if they could tell me the type of cancer I have and she said it was triple negative and therefore the hormonal treatments would not work but not to worry as there are other treatments available. So now I am worried as does this mean survival rate is lower or is it still treatable because it is primary and not anywhere else? I know I still have meetings ahead to discuss these things, but my head is a whirl of every emotion going. 

  • Hi, I must admit, when I was diagnosed there were so many new terms and different treatments it was a whole new language for me, there's so much to take in.

    I thought this information from Macmillan Link to Triple Negative Info might be useful for you. And don't forget you can have a chat to the lovely folks here at Macmillan on 0800 808 0000 to answer any questions you might have.  Best wishes 

    Community Champion badge

  • Thank you for replying, I’m in such a muddle and whirl trying to make sense of it all. I think once I have met the surgeon and team and have a treatment plan I will know what to focus on rather than blindly panicking 

  • Hi Lilycat

    Welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.  Stage 1 triple negative breast cancer is very treatable.  I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer just over 4 years ago with one of my lymph nodes affected and after having chemo, surgery and radiotherapy I made a full recovery and remain cancer free.

    Wishing you the best of luck with whatever treatment plan your medical team puts you on.

    Best wishes

    Daisy53

    Community Champion Badge

  • Hi Daisy53, thank you for your reply. I’m so pleased to read that you have made a full recovery and am now cancer free.  That’s so reassuring to me at such an uncertain time.  Thank you