The challenges of triple-negative breast cancer

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- I sat down with my oncologist, Dr. Hanna Irie, and we discussed the challenges of triple-negative breast cancer, but also the promise of newer agents, including immunotherapy.

"We can also subtype triple negative cancers in a better way so that we can offer targeted therapies in a more efficient manner", said Dr. Irie.

We then discussed her hope for a vaccine, particularly for triple-negative disease.

"While chemotherapy is currently the best tool, it is toxic and it is a challenge," she said. "Every person encounters specific side effects and these side effects are something we want to avoid."

"All triple-negative cancers tend to be aggressive," said Dr. Irie. "It is a little bit of a unique situation that we encountered in your case, however, it was detected in a very early stage."

I asked Dr. Irie, "Am I ever done?"

She replied by saying, "Our job is to offload some of the worry, and have an ongoing surveillance, an ongoing discussion, so that on a day-to-day basis, you don't have to worry about cancer."

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