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Newly Diagnosed
Here are some things to know as you prepare for your first few appointments:

You deserve the best care available. Find a doctor who understands triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). If possible, choose providers with experience treating TNBC. Look online for oncologists and surgeons who say they specialize in triple negative breast cancer. If you do not live near a health center with a doctor specializing in triple negative breast cancer, consider traveling outside your area for a second opinion on your treatment plan.

We believe that health equity means every medical provider should treat you like family. If your doctor can’t treat you with that level of compassion, respect, diligence, and cultural competence, know that you can always fire your doctor and we will help you find another one. When they give you choices about treatments, ask the question, “What would you recommend for your family member?”

You will have a team of medical providers responsible for your care, including an oncologist, breast surgical oncologist, plastic surgeon, radiation oncologist, and others. Your team should also include a nurse navigator, psychiatrist/psychologist, and a palliative care physician. If you aren’t automatically given these last three team members, ask for them.

You can’t make informed decisions about your treatment if you don’t understand your specific diagnosis, including the subtype, stage, and genetics. For instance, knowing about tumor biomarkers—like BRCA1/2 mutations or PDL1 expression—helps you choose the most effective treatment plan for you. It also lets you know if breast cancer is passed down in your family.

For in-depth explanations of these and other clinical details of a diagnosis, visit the What Is TNBC?.

You deserve the best care available. Find a doctor who understands triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). If possible, choose providers with experience treating TNBC. Look online for oncologists and surgeons who say they specialize in triple negative breast cancer. If you do not live near a health center with a doctor specializing in triple negative breast cancer, consider traveling outside your area for a second opinion on your treatment plan.

  • Bring someone to appointments with you who can listen and write down notes.
  • Ask as many questions as you need to, including:
    Repeat things back to your doctor to make sure you understand what they are saying.
    (“I’m hearing you say...”)

Ask your doctor about clinical trials early.

To learn more about clinical trials, visit the clinical trial section of the TOUCH website. An easy way to start the clinical trial conversation with your doctor is by asking “What clinical trials are available to me?”

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The Black Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sanctuary exists to be a haven in the storm for those impacted by Triple Negative Breast Cancer and their loved ones.

We provide access to personalized resources and clinical trials to aid in your fight against TNBC.

Learn about our mission

What questions can we help you answer? Please reach out to our team for any questions or inquiries.
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@TOUCHBBCA
@TNBC Foundation
@Nueva Vida
@AACR