By Keyshawn Jackson Allison | March has marked the start of Women’s History Month. As a result, women and their experiences are being highlighted. Recently, I attended a Zoom event with Marquita Bass, which introduced me to the dangers of breast cancer and the struggles of individuals like Bass fighting breast cancer. Particularly, Bass\u2019s experience with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is informative because of the underdevelopment of research associated with a triple-negative diagnosis.<\/p>\n
Cristina Migliaccio, an assistant professor in literature at Medgar Evers College, began the discussion by summarizing what triple-negative breast cancer is. Much of the information presented was shocking and new to me. Some of the main points I took away are that TNBC is highly aggressive, can affect younger women, has little data surrounding a diagnosis, is more likely to affect overweight individuals, and affects Latina and African American women the most. I am male and never thought I would have to worry about breast cancer, but Bass also emphasized that men have a risk of developing TNBC or breast cancer as well. It is especially disheartening that TNBC overwhelmingly affects Latina and African American women. Bass brought up a study showing that sixty percent of women with breast cancer in Ghana have a triple negative diagnosis. However, Migliaccio also summarized ways that TNBC can be prevented. Bass and Migliaccio offered many preventatives, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy, undergoing preventative surgeries, advocating for yourself with your doctor to get screened, and finding a doctor who takes your symptoms seriously. Even so, Bass emphasizes that she was diagnosed even though she maintained a healthy diet and weight. As a result, she stresses the importance of getting screened.<\/p>\n