New Diagnosis

@Elise_Rim I've sent you a message with info about my trial. You wouldn't be eligible if you have already started treatment as the therapy is a replacement for using AC. Keytruda may be an option, I'm not very clued up on it sorry. 

@Elise_Rim - terrific that your Mum did well on Keytruda for the extra 5 years xx. It is almost a wonder drug and overseas, is used in MANY cancer treatments - but just a few in Australia.

Initially Keytruda was only available for Melanoma patients (with some Stage 4 actually going into remission) - then lung cancer patients were found to respond well to it as well, so they were added on PBS & I thought that some BC patients (particularly TNBC) had also been approved for the use of it - so surprised your Onc hasn't mentioned it to you ..... 

Here are some documents that I found that indicate that it IS available already for those with early stage TNBC - so definitely raise it with your Onc & if they say NO - ask WHY - and then consider talking to another Onc about it as well! xx.  Record all your appts too, so you can go back over them later, to take notes etc ....

BCNA has a couple of posts on TNBC & Keytruda too:

Re Immunotherapy:
https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy

and Keytruda on the PBS:
https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2023/04/new-breast-cancer-treatments-recommended-for-subsidy-on-the-pbs/

also

https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/auspar-keytruda-230508.pdf

and

https://www.msd-australia.com.au/news/first-line-treatment-option-available-for-eligible-australians-with-a-type-of-aggressive-breast-cancer/

And Keytruda's OWN webpage re TNBC .....
https://www.keytruda.com/triple-negative-breast-cancer/

Being eligible for immunotherapy (Keytruda in particular) often boils down to the PD-1 & PDL-1 levels ....  sadly, my husband's levels made him ineligible for immunotherapy  :( 

T-Cell therapy is going to be HUGE in cancer treatment in coming years ... and hopefully the treatments available sooner than later ....

Take care & all the best xx

Hi @colthul. I am a recently diagnosed TNBC patient. I read here that you got on an immunotherapy trial. May I ask what stage you were diagnosed at? I am in Melbourne and having the 'traditional' treatment for this diagnosis (Stage 1) - AC fortnightly and then 12 Weekly Carbo/Taxol doses. 
I'm not sure if I qualify for the immunotherapy drugs in my stage? But my mum (who had lung cancer) got five years from the immunotherapy drug, Keytruda - so it must be doing some awesome things for dominating cancer! I'd be interested to learn how you're going. x

Thank you, so glad there is a space to ask for help whenever I need it. 🙂

Thanks @arpie, recovering well all things considered... just takes time!

So sorry to see you all join our exclusive little group, @CathL, @Tarma and @Aquagirl but you're in the right spot for support & information, as we've all 'been tru it' xx. Ask ask away - remember, there are NO silly questions.

Cath - your timeline looks pretty good - all the best  .... my timeline was horrible - it took 3 months form detection to seeing the surgeon (being rural, things don't always run smoothly.)  Also, the biopsy results didn't come back til just after New Years Day & all the surgeons were still on holidays til mid Jan - But then, within days, I had my surgery & was on the road to recovery.  I chose to go private for surgery, then public for my Rads & ongoing Onc - and I couldn't fault any of them.

Tarma - take care & all the best for your continuing appointments ..... This disease mucks with your brain as much as your body. xx
If you put your story (so far) in its own thread in Newly Diagnosed ... you'll get more targeted replies re your diagnosis & it also (sort of) becomes a bit of a 'diary' for the early days of your treatment.

Aquagirl - you've had a hard time of it too - so glad the delay actually helped you get more organised & I hope you are recovering well from your surgery xx

Feel free to jump onto this link that has lots of other bits (and tips) about the forum (not all are 'cancer related' - we chat about recipes, our crafts, gardens & pets & other stuff - and even have a laugh as well!)
At the bottom of the post, is a link to some 'tick sheets' that you can print off & fill in & take with you to your team, post op ..... sometimes it is easier to just give them a copy too, rather than talking it thru as it can be very emotional .....  
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

take care, ladies & all the best with your ongoing treatments ...

Hi @CathL
I'm in Brisbane. Also had anxiety re wanting to get on with it and it will all happen soon enough don't worry. It took 8 weeks from diagnosis to surgery for me and that also made me worry at the time but it was more the first few weeks not having a surgery date locked in that would enable me to let others know what they could do, when, to help me through. On diagnosis and finding a surgeon, I then couldn't get any scans within a week in Brissy as booked out which delayed surgery appointments then surgeon was away then Easter etc. They put me on Tamoxifen for 4 weeks due to delay. At the end of the day the time delay, altho not ideal, allowed me to get super organised and ready, instead of being in a complete disorganised flap. I went private as had bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction which also required finding a date a theatre could be booked out for the whole day. 
All the best for your journey 🌻

Hi @CathL, im in the same boat as you.. its all just happened and my head is spinning atm.. lol 
I'm hormone receptor negative,  her2 positive.  
I'm sure ill start to understand the cancer jargon soon ..I've found the my journey app really helpful 
I'm looking forward to my first oncology app in a few days, things might seem less frightening after that...

Thanks @colthul. I’m ER PR + and HER 2-
I think I’m just anxious to get the ball rolling on treatment, hoping I have some more info at the next appointment as the what happens next.

Hi @CathL
I am in Toowoomba and went through the public system when I was diagnosed in July 2021. I had an appointment with my oncologist within 2 weeks of diagnosis (saw Dr Donaldson the day after my results came back from my GP). Was originally going to go private but there was an immunotherapy trial being conducted for triple neg through the base so I went there.
I think I started chemo within the month. I had a port put in privately so not sure the timing if you want a port and going public sorry. 
The staff at the base are amazing. Do you know the hormone receptor status of your tumor? That may impact your treatment plan as far as surgery first v chemo first. My oncologist was Dr Karki and he is very caring (also works out of St Andrews). Feel free to message me if you want any more info :)