Why do they call the prognosis "poor"?

Mesha, according to information on this site, a study of 50,000 women with a triple negative diagnosis shows that 77 percent survived at least five years. (see below) It's also known that after the first 5 years (some studies say 3 years), the risk of recurrence drops significantly. I had 22 positive lymph nodes back in 1986. My oncologist said that I was in a "poor prognostic group." I'm alive and well 23 years later. There are no guarantees, of course, but keep in mind that triples have a "poor" prognosis in comparison with women who are diagnosed with other types of breast cancer. That doesn't mean that triple negative is a death sentence. Wishing you the best, Rena

Five-year survival rates also tend to be lower for triple-negative breast cancer. A 2007 study of more than 50,000 women with all stages of breast cancer found that 77% of women with triple-negative breast cancer survived at least 5 years, versus 93% of women with other types of breast cancer. Another study of more than 1,600 women published in 2007 found that women with triple-negative breast cancer had a higher risk of death within 5 years of diagnosis, but not after that time period. The recurrence and survival figures in these and other studies are averages for all women with triple-negative breast cancer. Factors such as the grade and stage of the breast cancer will influence an individual woman’s prognosis. 

Interesting topic.  I never saw being TN as being well, negative.  I was kind of happy to not need chemo or Tamoxifen.  I have DCIS and had no invasive components.  I wonder what my chances are for reoccurence????  Neither my BS or my onc mentioned anything about my path report being a bad thing.  They both seemed pleased, esp since I had a bilat mastectomy. 

Hang in there Vickilynn.  I felt the same as you when I began treatment in May.  I am now 3 weeks past my last infusion and am feeling strong everyday.  

It's an upwind battle for you now, but before you know it your course will change and you'll be heading down wind!

Poor prognosis is probably not an accurate term.  Treatment improves all of the time.  Triple negative is a fast growing and aggressive type of cancer and there are no targeted therapies yet that target the triple negative cancer cells alone.  However, this cancer responds better to chemo than other cancers do.  Exercise and diet can also reduce recurrence another 50%.  So we do what we can and the rest we leave up to God.

Silverlady I don't have a clue what advice to give you.  But, it sounds like it is growing very fast.  Perhaps you could discuss this with your doctors or even ask the doctors you are scheduled to see at UCLA.  

Vicki lynn -- Chemo is no fun.  But, you recover for the two weeks between cycles and there is an end.  It will get better and there is life after cancer and chemo.

God be with all of you.

debonthelake,

I talked with my surgeon this morning, we are cancelling my surgery here in FL and he is happy I am going to UCLA JCCC for my treatment.  I told him what the Oncologist told me Friday about the size being 3 x 2.5 and my surgeon says, he took the measurement off the ultra scan and says it is 1 cm, so my oncologist must have been talking about the size of the lump which can be larger than the cancer itself.   So that little bit of knowledge makes me feel better.  I have left a msg at the hospital answering service in CA and if I don't here in the AM tomorrow, I will call them and get this all started ASAP. 

I have read also, that low fat, even no olive oil, lots of veggies especially, cabbage, kale, collard, carrots, you can find these lists on line, lots of fruits and whole grains (ugh!) no red meat, but chicken, fish, canned or fresh, and running 5 miles a week which is great, or walking 5 miles which is good and very very limited alcohol if any and no sugar or limited.  All of this is for Triple Neg.  I have been using Splenda for years, eat lots of veggies, some fruits, no longer drink alcohol, but my down fall is red meat.  That will be hard to control.  God bless us all.

Silverlady, I wish you all the best. You're wise to be so proactive and to go where you think you'll get the best treatment. I just want to warn you about making sudden, major changes in your diet. I did too much too fast in terms of adding whole grains to my diet, and boy did I suffer! If your body is not used to whole grains, add them in slowly and see how your system reacts. Also, while fiber is very good for us, if you have any tendency toward intestinal upsets (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome), too much INsoluble fiber (whole grains, green leafy veggies, etc.) vs. soluble fiber can really cause a flare-up, and that's the last thing you need as you go through your cancer treatment. This link will give you some helpful info and food lists. http://www.dietsite.com/dt/diets/eatingwell/fiber/dietaryfiber.asp

Good luck! Rena

 Just a little more hope for you ladies.  I found my TNBC by self exam in November of 2003, and I am here writing about it five years and 10 months later.  I was tickled when Dr. Hurvitz informaed me that once a TNBC patient passes the 5-year mark, the chance of recurrance is less than 1% now.  (Yes, she stated that a different cancer could occur, but chance for the same monster...not so likely)  That may have been for my type of cancer, TN and all, but there is hope!

Yes, she's the one and I agree.  I feel like she could be my daughter (She seems so young!) and I am only 46!

To Silverlady, I suggest you not wait. TN, is fast moving. Get the lump out and then go to LA...My lump was 4.5 and in one limp node. I did a CT/Scan and I was told it was in both my lungs. Which made me a stage4. It is up to you......However I would not take any chances with my life. And you can always do your Chemo in LA.......You have to weight to heal from your surgery anyway.........Concerned for you........Lesa