New Group - Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Mez_BCNA

Hello members,

If you have been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) or supporting someone with this breast cancer type, you may have asked whether we have a private group available for people. Currently we do not have a dedicated group, however there appears to be growing demand for this and we want to create the conversation:

Please provide feedback as to whether you feel you or someone diagnosed with TNBC would benefit from having access to an Online Network private group (Please leave your comment in this discussion thread)

What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer?

Triple negative breast cancer is the name given to breast cancer that is:

• oestrogen receptor negative (ER-)
• progesterone receptor negative (PR-) and
• HER2 negative (HER2-).

This means that the cancer does not use oestrogen, progesterone or HER2 to grow. So this means that drugs used to treat these types of breast cancer are not effective for triple negative breast cancer. Around 15% of early breast cancers are triple negative. 

The main treatment for triple negative breast cancer is chemotherapy. It is important to know that chemotherapy can be very effective in treating triple negative breast cancer.

While anyone can get triple negative breast cancer, it is more common in people who:

• have an inherited BRCA gene mutation (particularly BRCA1)
• are under the age of 40
• have not reached menopause.

Unfortunately triple negative breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. There are several sub-types of triple negative breast cancer, the most common being, a cell type called basal-like. Basal-like means that the cells resemble the basal cells that line the breast ducts. Basal-like cancers tend to be more aggressive, higher grade cancers. Read more via the My Journey article Triple negative breast cancer

arpie

I was just looking the other day to see if there was a group for TNBC to share with those who are newly diagnosed - as it IS a rather unique form of BC. 

I do believe our members with TNBC would embrace the group & share tips and knowledge and support each other - so think it would be a great group to add 

June1952

Hi @Mez - yes, I think the dedicated private group would be of much benefit to members.  People feel more comfortable supporting each other in a more detailed way if they are not concerned people outside their close circle of friends/family are able to read too much (as can happen on the public site).

GinGin

Definitely a good idea to have a dedicated private group. Thank you for proposing @Mez_BCNA.

Elise_Rim

Hi @Mez_BCNA - this would be a fabulous idea! Thank you for all your support in helping me navigate this online space also. It's a brilliant resource! x

Mez_BCNA

Thankyou for your feedback @Elise_Rim @GinGin @June1952 @arpie - The new private group is now available via the link https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/30-triple-negative-breast-cancer-tnbc

arpie

Thank you for arranging this, @Mez_BCNA - a worthy addition to the groups xx

Fufan

Thanks @Mez_BCNA.  I have applied to join.

Mez_BCNA

Thanks @Fufan, if you know of others members who were looking for a private  group please let me know and I can send invitations to join