CARA
DIAGNOSIS: Age 25 | Triple-Negative breast cancer
GENETICS: Mother died of breast cancer
BRCA: Tested positive for mutation
Due to her mother’s diagnosis and family genetics Cara’s father, an obstetrician/gynecologist, encouraged her to get genetic testing.
Cara had her first MRI done at the age of 25. It revealed a small cancer and saved her life. Her early diagnosis and subsequent treatment prevented the cancer from returning - so far.
Cara has been cancer-free for 12 years. Because cancer can always return, Cara and her doctors monitor her breast health closely by meeting with her oncologist yearly for a clinical breast exam, doing self-breast exams to monitor any changes or any symptoms of recurrence.
MRIs allow an in-depth look into women who have dense breast tissue and often detect invasive breast cancers sooner than mammograms.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer that can be difficult to treat. About 10-20 percent of breast cancers are triple-negative breast cancers.
While TNBC can show up in anyone, researchers have found that it is more prevalent in the following populations:
more likely to be diagnosed in people younger than 50
more likely to be diagnosed in African-Canadian and African-American women and Hispanic women
people with BRCA1 mutation. About 70% of breast cancers diagnosed in people with an inherited BRCA1 mutation are triple negative
Read more about how breast cancer survivor, Cara, navigated her breast health decisions, her cancer diagnosis and treatment in the book ‘No Longer Radical.
Watch an interview with Cara and hear about her breast cancer journey and treatment here.