Hi all Not sure who this reaches if anyone, but one question I have to ask is what is basal-type breast cancer? I understand that Basal cancer is a skin cancer typr however I am confused how this relates to breast cancer, that I have been diagnosed, and the relevance or potential of this cancer in the situ? If anyone can see my post and are in a similar situation, can you please make contact as I am finding it difficult to ascertain conclusive reasoning of the triggering / nature of this cancer type? Furthermore, has anyone gone through chemo in this cancer type? If so, what type and what were your experiences?

Hi Penni From my understanding of this (which for the record is very limited). The basal like refers to the pathology of your cancer. I would assume that you have what is called a triple negative breast cancer? which means that it is not "fed" by estrogen, predesterone and negative HER2. I think this is a question for your surgeon or oncologist, because it refers to your specific pathology of the tumour. I am sorry for your diagnosis, and hope that you are able to get some answers that you need. Good luck. Tanya

Hi Tanya I hope you don't mind I read your personal profile prior to reading you response to my posted question and I admire you immensely as a person with good strength. I thought the exact same way when I "accidentally" found the lump - it's nothing! . . . harden tissue after 2 births or as a result of my later daughter applying pressure to the specific point of the breast as she climbs over me! How stupid was I ??! Great thing about being a student is instinctively researching the findings of the lumpectomy, ie. pathology results being basal type cancer. The issue is there is no definitive cause as to how? why? outcome? that I am aware of or have been able to find. I concur my surgeon should be able to explain this however, apparently I have an "experimental" surgeon whom has an interest in the breast cancer field but does not form part of the breast cancer clinic surgeons of my local hospital. Frustrating is a light phrase to use, will be changed this week! How do you know what you don't know? Do we rely on our GP's for appropriate referrals? I am so aggrivated over the situation it heightens my anger and annoyance yet I have no control. I understand that my cancer type is "triple negative" as you describe and as research has prevailed, no determination of the prognosis or outcome of the cancer is definitively defined - what does this mean? Is my life going to be impacted? I have sooooo many questions that no one has on-line seemly answered, which does not assist in my planning! All the same, thank you for involving yourself in this conversation, which is unique, and congratulations on your prognosis. You are one of those people I would easily form a friendship, based on your profile, so hopefully I can follow in your footsteps. Good fortune and continued health to you and your family! Many respects and wishes Penni

WOW, thanks Penni, I am humbled by your response!! I apologise that I could not shed any light on your question, but there is one thing that I have learnt through my journey and I will share with you.... In the beginning I used to just sit quietly and take it all that i was told and not ask questions and accepted everything that I learnt as gospel. I now know that even medical people do not have all the answers and if they do not have the answers, I push, probe, dig and ask someone else. My advice to you is to do the same until someone can tell you what you want to know. If the surgeon that is assigned to you does not know, ask for another one to talk to. I know this is easy for me to say, now that I am out the other side!! And I know that you are still probably coming to terms with what had happened to you, so hang in there hon. I have some wonderful friends that have had a triple neg cancer and they are doing really well years after treatment. Also, from my understanding (again this is limited) triple neg cancers respond well to chemo and also the longer the time since diagnosis the less likely cancer is to reoccur which is a good thing. Great to meet you and thank you for your kind words. Tanya

Thanks Tanya again for your wonderful advice and suggestions. I will be seeking a referral to another surgeon tomorrow for second opinion and ongoing care in this respect from here forward. I am hoping that another member to this site may have been diagnosed or previously diagnosed with my particular cancer whom may be able to shed some light - I'll wait and see. My breast health care nurse calls me "special" - as a result of my cancer type being rare. Thanks for the positive feedback regarding your friends who have had triple negative cancers and the effectiveness of chemo. This type of information is invaluable to me at present. Still not looking forward to chemo all the same. It has been a pleasure to meet with you as well. Stay healthy, live life to the fullest and keep in touch. Your advice has been very much appreciated. Penni

What is Basal-type Breast Cancer?

17 Replies

Deeay
Member
14 years ago
Hi Penni, Hope this finds you well again after treatment? I was just wondering how you are going. I'm triple negative too and finished treatment in October last year. I read everything I could lay my hands on and it got quite depressing. As good as the tnbc.org website is, there ARE a lot of people suffering on it..... The best news is, that the longer we stay healthy the chances we will stay that way are better than for other breast cancers! Take care, Diane
Penni
Member
14 years ago
Hey Lizzy - I did realise that you responded to Khali's reply but your message was well received and beautiful, supportive and positive! I would be interested to receive any of your findings from your research. Anything worthwhile to my journey??

Sorry to hear that you were affected by the bushfires moreover, I hope your property or that of family was directly affected. You must be a strong person to be surrounded by such a tragic event whilst going through your treatment! Very admirable and inspiring!

Keep in touch - take care of yourself.

PS: I love your occupation!

Pen
Penni
Member
14 years ago
Hey Lizzy - I did realise that you responded to Khali's reply but your message was well received and beautiful, supportive and positive! I would be interested to receive any of your findings from your research. Anything worthwhile to my journey??

Sorry to hear that you were affected by the bushfires moreover, I hope your property or that of family was directly affected. You must be a strong person to be surrounded by such a tragic event whilst going through your treatment! Very admirable and inspiring!

Keep in touch - take care of yourself.

PS: I love your occupation!

Pen