triple negative breast cancer survivors

Debbie57

I had er/pr positive in 1994 and then a new primary in 2009, same breast but er/pr negative as well as her2 negative so I am called triple negative. I would like to hear from survivors especially long term because reading on the forum  seems to be so negative for survivng. My oncologist says triple negative would come back within 3 years if it was going to. Unlke the positive which can come back many years later.I had a masectomy and tram flap reconstruction as well as chemo for 6 treatments.I would also like to hear what follow-up procedures people have. I have no bloodwork or scans done. Only a yearly mammogram and exam is reccomended.Is that enough for having cancer two times?My oncologist says watch for symptoms although I know once symptoms occur it is usually too late for survival. I had never heard that is triple negative cancer reccurs there are no treatments done, I am feeling worried. It has been 1 year since surgery and 9 months since chemo was done.

Titan

Hi Debbie..there are some studies done...if you look on the calling all tn's thread there are some links that are fairly encouraging...yes..reocurrence rate is higher in the first couple of years...after that it goes down to what the positives are...even after that..the TN's go BELOW the positives..so there is bad..and then there is good...

Chemo works well for we TN's...before and after a reocurrence...don't freak yourself out too much..do some research..check it out...you are 21 months out...you are doing well just hang in there.

As far as follow ups..my onc says that same thing..I too have had no scans...my last mammo was in May..the next one will be next May...I asked if that was OK and the onc said yes...as long as you have breast exams by the oncs and the BS..which I do..pretty much every 3 months...also watch for any changes..I think the rule is 2 weeks for any different ache or pain..shortness of breath, headaches...then have it checked...