Woman, 45, Who Beat Aggressive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Says 13-Years Into Remission, She ‘Had a Feeling’ to Get Checked, Only to Learn Her Cancer Returned

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Back then, a lumpectomy, where only the tumor and surrounding tissue were removed, helped bring her into remission.

But triple-negative breast cancer is known for its high recurrence rate: up to 50% of patients with early-stage disease (stages I to III) experience a return of cancer, according to JCO Oncology Practice. Bessix became part of that statistic when she discovered another lump—this time, in the exact same location.

Triple-negative breast cancer means that your cancer is not being fueled by any of the three main types of receptors: estrogen, progesterone, or the HER2 protein. Because of this, the cancer won’t respond to certain targeted therapies, including hormone therapy or HER2-targeted agents like Herceptin. Chemotherapy is typically the treatment, and there are several options.

WATCH: Understanding Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

“There are different types of breast cancer, and these are defined by biomarkers,” medical oncologist Dr. Julie Nangia tells SurvivorNet. “The three biomarkers are (ER) estrogen receptor, (PR) progesterone receptor, and HER2, which is a protein.”

Her second journey was far more grueling. She underwent a double mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction, a process that can involve implants or tissue taken from other parts of the body, such as the abdomen or back.

“Mastectomy has very specific indications. Some of the things that would predict a mastectomy are things like a large tumor size to breast ratio, or having cancer in more than one area of the breast, or things like a genetic mutation,” Dr. Sarah Cate, Chief of Breast Surgery, Stamford Hospital, explains to SurvivorNet.

“There are some patients that come in, and right away they want both breasts removed,” Dr. Cate says. However, she adds that after she further assesses the patient’s cancer risk by studying their specific cancer, including family history and genetic testing data, some patients may change their mind after a discussion about the pros and cons of a mastectomy.

“So many patients will come in wanting both breasts removed, but we’ll end up with lumpectomy and radiation, which is really standard of care,” Dr. Cate adds.

WATCH: What Happens During a Double Mastectomy?

“Breast reconstruction is a restoration of a woman’s form and her sense of self,” said Dr. Andrea Pusic, chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham Health. “It’s about putting the cancer in the rearview mirror.”

WATCH: Breast Cancer Survivor Caitlin Kiernam On Life After Reconstruction

But for Bessix, the emotional toll was steep. “If I had to do it over again, I would not,” she said. “It took so much away from me the second time.”

Through it all, she leaned on her faith and the unwavering support of family and friends. Now, nearly four years after her second diagnosis, Bessix is once again cancer-free—and living proof of the strength it takes to face breast cancer not once, but twice.

Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

SurvivorNet experts say that triple-negative breast cancer often responds well to chemotherapy. Early stages of this disease (stages 1, 2, or 3) mean that the cancer is confined to the breast and/or lymph nodes that are located right under the arm.

“Our primary line of attack is chemotherapy, and this is regardless of the cancer stage,” medical oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Comen said.

Chemotherapy before you have surgery, also called neoadjuvant therapy, has the primary goal of trying to shrink the tumor before the primary treatment is given, which, in the case of breast cancer, is usually surgery.

WATCH: Undergoing Chemo During Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

In some cases, doctors may recommend chemotherapy after surgery, also known as adjuvant therapy. This additional treatment may be necessary if there are still cancer cells present, or it might be given to lower the risk that the cancer will come back.

There are different chemotherapy options depending on the burden of disease, which refers to how sick someone is with their disease.

“If the disease burden is not too great, meaning that a woman doesn’t have a lot of symptoms, we can often start with oral chemotherapy,” Dr. Comen explains to SurvivorNet.

“After three months of treatment, we can say, how has the response been, has the disease burden decreased, which is what we hope to see, and ideally, we will continue on that treatment for as long as possible. At some point, a woman may become resistant to the treatment that she’s on, which often means IV chemotherapy is next in line.”

The IV chemotherapy cycle can be two weeks on, one week off, alongside monthly doctor visits.

According to Dr. Heather McArthur, previously medical director of breast oncology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, studies suggest that giving these drugs early on in the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer works better than when taken after chemotherapy.

WATCH: Immunotherapy and Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Clinical trials also suggest that for women with non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who received immunotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery, 80 percent of these women had a “pathologically complete response” at the time of surgery, meaning there were no cancer cells left in the breast. These trials led to the approval of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Keytruda can be used with chemotherapy before surgery and then continued alone after surgery if you are at high risk for your breast cancer returning.

RELATED: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer More Deadly Among Black Women

Genetic Testing to Gauge Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Risk

A research team at Mayo Clinic has identified a group of genes linked to an increased risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)—a discovery that could pave the way for improved screening and earlier detection of this aggressive disease.

“Everybody is nervous about triple-negative breast cancer,” says Dr. Marleen Meyers, a medical oncologist at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center. “Of all the breast cancers, it’s considered the most aggressive and the most difficult to treat.”

WATCH: Genetic Tests for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Risk

In the 2018 study involving more than 10,000 people diagnosed with TNBC, researchers found that mutations in five genes—BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, and RAD51D—were associated with a significantly higher risk of developing the disease. Among Caucasian participants, these mutations also correlated with a greater than 20% lifetime risk for breast cancer overall. Similar patterns were observed in African-American participants.

While this genetic insight is promising, experts caution that only about 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. “Most women who undergo genetic testing won’t test positive for these mutations,” explains Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, Director of the High-Risk Cancer Program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.

WATCH: When to Get Genetic Testing?

That’s why genetic testing is typically recommended for women with a strong family history—especially those with relatives who’ve had breast or ovarian cancer, rare cancers, or cancers linked to Lynch Syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases cancer risk. Early identification in these high-risk groups can be critical for prevention and timely treatment.

Breast Cancer Symptoms & Self-Exams

Women are encouraged to do regular self-exams to become familiar with how their breasts feel normally, so when something unusual, like a lump, does form, it can be easily detected. A self-exam includes pressing your fingertips along your breast in a circular motion.

For some women, that means going to their doctor and walking through what a self-breast exam looks like, so they know what normal breast tissue feels like, so if they do feel something abnormal, whether it’s a lump or discharge from the nipple, they know what to ask and what to look for.

Below are common symptoms to look out for:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Any change in the size or shape of the breast
• Swelling of all or part of the breast
• Skin dimpling or peeling
• Breast or nipple pain
• Nipple turning inward
• Redness or scaliness of the breast or nipple skin
• Nipple discharge (not associated with breastfeeding

When to Screen for Breast Cancer

The medical community has a broad consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.

The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.

WATCH: When you’re getting a mammogram, ask about dense breasts.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.

Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.

Questions For Your Doctor

• What stage is my cancer, and how does that affect my treatment plan?
• What are the recommended chemotherapy options for triple-negative breast cancer, and what side effects should I expect?
• Are there any clinical trials or emerging treatments I should consider?
• How will treatment affect my fertility, physical activity, or ability to work?
• What follow-up care and monitoring will I need after treatment ends?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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