100 questions & answers about triple negative breast cancer / Connie Henke Yarbro and Cynthia (Cindi) Cantril. [print]

Includes Index.

PART 1: The Basics of Breast Cancer, Specifically Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Questions 1-5 provide basic information about triple-negative breast cancer, with topics such as:

1) What is cancer? Specifically, what is breast cancer? -- 2) Is it true that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States? How many breast cancer survivors are living in the United States today? -- 3) What does "triple-negative" breast cancer mean? -- 4) Triple-negative breast cancer seems rare compared to other types of breast cancer. How many women are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer worldwide? -- 5) If triple-negative breast cancer does not rely on the estrogen and/or progesterone receptors or the HER2 gene, then what makes it grow? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 2: Risk Factors and Prevention.

Questions 6-10 outline a number of factors and preventive methods associated with triple-negative breast cancer:

6) What are the risk factors for developing breast cancer? -- 7) Are the risk factors for triple-negative breast cancer the same as for other types of breast cancer? -- 8) Is it true that younger women are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer? -- 9) I've read that triple-negative breast cancer is more common among African American patients. Is this true? -- 10) Is there anything I can do to prevent breast cancer? What about preventing triple-negative breast cancer? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 3: Inherited Breast Cancer.

Questions 11-16 consider the genetic factors related to inheriting triple-negative breast cancer:

11) Is triple-negative breast cancer inherited? How do genes affect the risk of being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer? -- 12) What is the BRCA gene, and how is it related to triple-negative breast cancer? -- 13) If l'm concerned about being a BRCA mutation carrier, how would I get tested? -- 14) If I do have a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, how will I be notified? -- 15) If l'm diagnosed with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, how might the treatment options for my triple-negative breast cancer differ? -- 16) I'm worried that I'll lose my insurance if l'm found to have a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Is this possible? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 4: Diagnosis.

Questions 17-24 discuss general information regarding the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer:

17) How is triple-negative breast cancer diagnosed, and what symptoms should I bring to my doctor's attention? -- 18) If l have breast symptoms, what tests might be done? -- 19) If l am diagnosed with breast cancer, how will we know it is triple negative? -- 20) Will my doctor tell me if l have triple-negative breast cancer, or should I ask? -- 21) I had my mammogram every year as instructed by my primary care physician, but I was diagnosed with a triple-negative breast cancer anyway. How is this possible? -- 22) What other tests, other than my breast biopsy, may be needed following a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer? -- 23) I have had a mammogram; will I need a breast MRI? -- 24) My doctor has recommended a breast MRI. What should I expect? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 5: Treatment for Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Questions 25-48 explore treatment options available:

25) I've just been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. What do I do now? -- 26) Now that I have a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer, I'm ready to get started with treatment. What are my options? -- 27) When I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, I thought I would be seen by one breast cancer doctor. Who are all of these specialists, and what are their roles? -- 28) I have met with a group of doctors to discuss my treatment options. Should I also seek a second opinion? -- 29) What sorts of things should I be thinking about when I select my treatment plan with my doctors? -- 30) My doctors continue to mention "stage" and "grade". What do these terms mean? -- 31) What is the difference between "local" and "systemic" therapy? Do I need both? -- 32) Before I proceed with surgery and/or systemic therapies, how do I know that my breast cancer has not spread to other areas of my body? -- 33) What is a mastectomy, and how does it differ from a lumpectomy? -- 34) Which type of surgery is best for me? -- 35) How should I prepare for my breast surgery and how long will it take me to recover? -- 36) Based on the extent of the cancer within my breast, I'm not a candidate for a lumpectomy. If l have a mastectomy, is it possible to reconstruct my breast? -- 37) What is lymphedema and how should it be treated? -- 38) What is radiation therapy?38. What is radiation therapy? -- 39) How should I prepare for radiation therapy, and what side effects should I expect? -- 40) What sort of things will my doctor be considering when selecting systemic treatments like chemotherapy to treat my triple-negative breast cancer? -- 41) I had my breast cancer removed and was treated with external beam radiation therapy. Isn't the breast cancer out of my body? Why would 1 need additional treatments like chemotherapy? -- 42) Which chemotherapies are most commonly prescribed to treat triple-negative breast cancer that is con:6ncd to the breast and/or lymph nodes? -- 43) My doctor has recommended chemotherapy to treat my triple-negative breast cancer. I have heard dreadful stories about chemotherapy. What should I expect, and how will my life be affected during chemotherapy? -- 44) How can I prevent side effects related to chemotherapy? Will my doctor give me specific instructions? -- 45) Many of my friends have been raking pills to either block or lower estrogen levels to treat their breast cancer. Why is my doctor not recommending this type of therapy for me? -- 46) My doctor has used the terms neoadjuvant and adjuvant in regard to chemotherapy. What do these terms mean? -- 47) I worked prior to my breast cancer diagnosis. Is it possible to work during chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy? -- 48) I have heard about integrated therapies for breast cancer. Are they effective? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 6: Survivorship: Life After a Diagnosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Question 49-67 discuss general health issues that occur after cancer diagnosis and treatment:

49) I've completed my chemotherapy for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. What is next? How often should I expect to be seen by my healthcare team? -- 50) Now that I've completed my treatments (either surgery and/or radiation and/or chemotherapy), I expected to feel relieved. Why do I feel so lost and anxious? -- 51) Is it normal not to have mood swings at diagnosis or following therapy for triple­ negative breast cancer? Could there be a delay in this response? -- 52) Since my breast cancer diagnosis, I have had difficulty concentrating and my memory seems a little slow. I am used to feeling "in control". Why is this happening, and will this improve over time? -- 53) I've completed my breast cancer treatments but find myself thinking and/or worrying about it all of the time. How can I move on so my breast cancer won't rule my life? -- 54) Why do I feel it is so hard to talk with my family and friends about my triple­ negative breast cancer diagnosis? I have a lot of guilt about the impact my diagnosis and treatment will have on my loved ones. -- 55) I am concerned about the impact my triple-negative breast cancer and treatments have had on my family, particularly my children. What resources are available? -- 56) Now that I have undergone treatments for breast cancer, my body seems very different. I don't feel as attractive. Will this feeling fade? What can I do to feel better? -- 57) How do my partner and I "deal" with my breast surgery? How might I expect my diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer to affect intimacy and sexuality? -- 58) What strategies are available to help restore intimacy after treatment for triple­ negative breast cancer? -- 59) I have always wanted a family. Can I have children after a diagnosis of triple­ negative breast cancer? If so, when is it safe for women to become pregnant after a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer? -- 60) I've heard that chemotherapy can put women into early menopause. What breast cancer treatments put a woman's fertility at risk? -- 61) What options exist to preserve fertility for women with triple-negative breast cancer? Are they safe? -- 62) My doctor has ordered a bone mineral density test to determine if I developed bone loss during chemotherapy. What can I do to help build bone strength following treatments for triple-negative breast cancer? -- 63) In addition to calcium, my doctor has recommended I take vitamin D supplementation. Is this for my bones, my breast cancer, or both? -- 64) Is it true that there is a link between breast cancer recurrence and drinking alcohol? -- 65) In addition to surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, what can I do to keep my body healthy after a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer? -- 66) How do I cope with the fear of recurrence of triple-negative breast cancer? -- 67) I have read that triple-negative breast cancer can be quite aggressive. What happens if the treatment doesn't work? What if my breast cancer comes back? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 7: Behavior and Recurrence Patterns of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Questions 68-71 address risks of recurrence and other side effects that may occur after treatment:

68) I've just completed my treatment for early-stage, node-positive triple-negative breast cancer. What are my risks for breast cancer recurrence? -- 69) If my breast cancer were to return, where would it most likely recur? -- 70) After completing my treatments for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, what symptoms should I report to my doctor? -- 71) If my doctor is concerned that my breast cancer has returned, what tests might he or she order? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 8: Management of Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Questions 72-80 discuss methods of treating triple-negative breast cancer that has reached an advanced stage:

72) My doctor has just informed me that my triple-negative breast cancer is now "metastatic." What does this mean? -- 73) What treatment options are available to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer? -- 74) My doctor has recommended chemotherapy. What choices are available? -- 75) I want to be able to participate in the decision making about my treatment. How can I do this? -- 76) Should I ask for a second opinion? If so, when is the best time? -- 77) How will doctors determine if the chemotherapy is working? -- 78) I keep reading about PARP inhibitors to treat triple-negative breast cancer. What are PARP inhibitors and why might they be effective to treat my cancer? -- 79) In addition to chemotherapy, my doctor mentioned several new immunotherapy drugs that may be effective for my disease. Are these new drugs effective? -- 80) What is the prognosis for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 9: Clinical Trials.

Questions 81-88 describe the process of clinical trials and their potential value in your treatment:

81) My doctor has recommended I consider a clinical trial. What is a clinical trial? -- 82) What is the difference between a phase I, phase II, and phase III study? -- 83) I am worried about getting a "placebo." What is a placebo, and would I receive one as part of a clinical trial? -- 84) What questions should I ask the doctor as I think about whether to participate in a clinical trial? -- 85) If l decide to participate in a clinical trial, what might I anticipate? -- 86) As part of the clinical trial, a research biopsy is requested. What is a research biopsy and what might it be used for? -- 87) If l decide a clinical trial is not right for me, will this be viewed negatively by my doctor? -- 88) How do I find out about clinical trials that might be appropriate for me to consider? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART 10: Crossroads: Making Plans and End of Life.

Questions 89-100 help sort out information for patients towards the end of life:

89) How and when will my doctor recommend that I stop treatments altogether? -- 90) My doctor says it is time to move toward palliative care. What does this mean? -- 91) I have had friends or family members with breast cancer who seemed to be diagnosed with metastatic disease for a longer period of time. Why has my disease moved so quickly, and why is my treatment list shorter? -- 92) My doctor says it is time to stop treatment and get hospice involved. What is hospice, and in what ways can I expect it to help me? -- 93) What is an advance directive, and how can J make sure my wishes are known? -- 94) How do I get the correct forms to complete an advance directive? -- 95) What is a living will? Is this the same as a healthcare proxy? -- 96) I am having difficulty approaching decisions about end of life with my family. How can I do this? -- 97) I want my children to remember me. I also want to help them cope with my having to leave them. What can I do to help with both? -- 98) I am feeling distressed about my medical situation. How can I clear my head to think about what needs to be done? -- 99) How do I decide how to spend my time if the doctor tells me it is limited? Do I work? Do I travel? How do I make these decisions? -- 100) Where can I go to find more information? -- _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

According to the American Cancer Society, 10-15% of all breast cancer patients are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). No one with TNBC needs to be alone in their fight against this fast-growing cancer. That's where this book and the information within can help. 100 Questions & Answers About Triple-Negative Breast Cancer offers authoritative and practical answers to the most common questions asked by patients and their loved ones. What is triple-negative breast cancer? How is different than other breast cancers? What are the signs and symptoms of triple-negative breast cancer? What is targeted therapy and is it effective treatment for TNBC? Along with the answers to these and other questions, this book provides information on risk factors and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and more. 100 Questions & Answers About Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Second Edition is an invaluable resource for anyone copying with the physical and emotional turmoil of this challenging type of breast cancer. ~ AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/Questions-Answers-Triple-Negative-Breast/dp/1284181375/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PX1BG9DA68D8&keywords=9781284181371&qid=1661532019&sprefix=9781433578038%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1

APA - CHECK FORMATING BEFORE USE Cantril, C., Yarbro, C. H. (2021). 100 Questions and Answers about Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. United States: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

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Connie Henke Yarbro, RN, MS, FAAN, is Founding Editor of Seminars in Oncology Nursing, and Adjunct Courtesy Faculty, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia. One of the founders of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) in 1975, she served as the first Treasurer (1975-1979) and President of the ONS (1979-1983). In 1981, she founded the ONS Foundation and served as President from 1982-1988. She has served on the Board of Trustees for the Association of Community Cancer Centers, the American Association for Cancer Education, advisory panels for the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Pharmacopeia, and numerous other committees and advisory panels. She is one of three editors of the comprehensive textbook of oncology nursing, Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice (8th ed), Cancer Symptom Management (4th ed), Oncology Nursing Review (6th ed), Breast Care Certification Review (2nd ed), and co-editor of Oncology Nursing in the Ambulatory Setting and Cancer Pain Management (2nd ed). She has published over 100 articles and book chapters on topics related to cancer nursing and care, and is a national and international lecturer. She is Past President of the International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), served on the Medical Advisory Board of CancerSource.com, the Board of Directors for the Center for Biomedical Continuing Education, the Alternative and Complementary Methods of Cancer Management Committee of the American Cancer Society and the Leadership and Development Committee of ONS. She has received numerous local, national and international awards and most recently was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.

Cynthia (Cindi) Cantril, MPH, RN, OCN, CBCN, is the Director of Cancer Support Services and Patient Navigation at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation in Santa Rosa, California. She oversees patient navigation, support groups, a peer volunteer program and implementation of best practices for patient navigation of the over 13,000 new cancers diagnosed each year in the Sutter system. As a breast health nurse navigator for over ten years, Cantril has focused on studying the informational needs of women and men with breast cancer. She is one of four founders of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) in 1975. She has served on the Board of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and her work in breast navigation and cancer survivorship is recognized nationally and internationally. She has numerous publications on patient navigation and is co-editor of the ONS book on Oncology Nurse Navigation. She has received the Oncology Nursing Society's Distinguished Service award, CURE magazine's Extraordinary Healer Award, the Oncology Nursing Society Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Biden Cancer Fierce Award for patient navigation.