|
Triple negative breast
cancer occurs in about 10-20 percent of diagnosed breast
cancers and is more likely to affect younger people in
African-American and Hispanic populations. Triple negative
breast cancer can be more aggressive and difficult to treat
and is more likely to spread and recur. Therefore, the
Association’s objective is to educate minority communities
about this disease in the hope of minimizing its negative
impact among those populations.
What is
triple-negative breast cancer? About 10 to 20 percent of
breast cancers are triple-negative, but you may never have
heard of triple-negative breast cancer before you received
your test results. Hearing new words and not understanding
what they mean may make you feel scared and overwhelmed.
Knowing
breast cancer basics can help you understand how
triple-negative breast cancer is different from other types
of breast cancer.
To find
out what type of breast cancer you have, your doctors search
for the presence or absence of three
receptors, proteins that live
inside or on the surface of a cell and bind to something in
the body to cause the cell to react. You may have heard of
the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and
human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).
In
estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, progesterone
receptor-positive breast cancer and HER2 positive breast
cancer, treatments prevent, slow or stop cancer growth with
medicines that target those receptors.
But
triple negative breast cancers
need different types of treatments because they are estrogen
receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2
negative.
“Triple the PINK”
Program was guided by the NANBPWC. Inc. – Toledo Health
Chairman Sarah Burkes who was also the mistress of
ceremonies. She set the tone to welcome every guest to
listen to prepare to listen and talk about Triple Negative
Breast Cancer and affects our lives.
Frances Collins, PhD, –NANBPWC, Toledo Club President;
Linda Collins – NANBPWC - Maumee Bay Club President and Lisa
McDuffie- YWCA CEO
greeted guests and gave important points on why this
workshop was greatly needed.
The Purpose of the program was given by Denise
Black- Poon Toledo Club, 1st VP and program
chairman:
“The National Association of Negro Business and Professional
Women’s Clubs Inc. National Mandated Project address
current and critical issues within the country, including
Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Heart decease, domestic
violence, emergency preparedness and community policing.
Triple the PINK is our
theme which stands for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Awareness.
President Linda Collins and Patricia Poston,1st
VP and program chairman from Maumee Bay presented key points
that the community should know.
Sarah Burkes introduced the special guest for the program,
Winda Birt – YWCA Health Connection Director and Panellist.
Birt spoke
about
the importance of how we can take care of our bodies, what
signs to look for, treatment, etc. Birt also quizzed the
audience to see how much they knew about “Triple Negative
Breast Cancer” and answered questions.
She shared resource information and
other materials that were not discussed. Her excitement on
spreading the word on getting regular check-up and
mammograms was highly expressed.
Questions, answers and discussions continued and the
audience shared personal facts about how cancer has affected
them or their family members in different ways.
Toledo City CouncilmanLarry Sykes was on hand and spoke
about several ways cancer has affected his life. He also
presented a plaque for the City of Toledo because of the
importance of knowing about cancer and its fight. State Rep.
Michael Ashford, Councilman-elect Gary Johnson and other
community leaders were there to give their support to
cancer awareness.
Closing remarks were offered by Frances Collins, Linda
Collins and McDuffie
as they thanked everyone for coming and asked everyone to
share the information with others about the things they
learned so that many people can live longer by having
regular doctor visits and knowing what signs to look for
when their bodies change.
Refreshments were served
The YWCA has many programs available for the community.
Dates and times can by obtained by calling the YWCA on
1018 Jefferson Avenue
|
