When Vanessa, a travel nurse from Memphis, Tennessee, received a stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, her carefully planned future was abruptly halted. The aggressive nature of this cancer subtype forced her to shift her focus entirely to treatment. But even as a healthcare professional, she found herself in uncharted territory. “I’ve taken care of patients my whole life,” she says. “But I didn’t really know what breast cancer truly entailed.”
The initial treatment began quickly, but the cancer soon spread, leading to a metastatic triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. “When I found out I had metastatic breast cancer, it was just an awful feeling to know you have to go through treatment again,” she recalls. This news is particularly daunting because triple-negative breast cancer tends to grow and spread more rapidly than other types. For about half of women with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, the first treatment may be the only chance to control the disease, making the initial choice of therapy critical.
Triple-negative breast cancer also disproportionately affects younger women and has higher incidence rates in Black and Hispanic women. For these communities, access to the latest educational resources and treatment options is not just helpful—it’s a matter of survival. Vanessa recognized the importance of understanding her options and asking the right questions. She learned that historically, metastatic triple-negative breast cancer treatment has been limited to chemotherapy, which can have significant side effects.
Her doctor suggested a clinical trial for a newer class of medicine called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Unlike traditional chemotherapy, ADCs are designed to target specific markers on cancer cells and deliver the treatment more directly, potentially reducing damage to healthy cells. Until recently, ADCs were reserved for later stages of treatment, but now they may be used as a first-line therapy. Innovations like ADCs have already shown promise in helping to keep cancer from growing, offering patients more time and better planning for their lives.
However, not all ADCs are identical, and safety and efficacy can vary. Not every patient may be eligible, but understanding when they might be considered and how they can impact daily life helps patients feel more informed when discussing options with their care team. Vanessa’s medical oncologist, Dr. Gregory Vidal, emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment to each patient’s goals and needs. “When selecting treatment, it’s important to consider patients’ goals, wishes and needs so that we can try to realistically plan around those,” he says. “All patients are different and may qualify for different ADCs.” He encourages patients to have open conversations with their doctors and ask about treatment goals at their stage of care.
For many with metastatic breast cancer, treatment is ongoing, with the aim of managing the disease and maintaining quality of life. Vanessa leaned on her support system to maintain a “faith over fear” mindset, focusing on positives and planning activities around her treatments. She urges others to stay positive, ask questions, and advocate for themselves. “You definitely have a fight in front of you, but you can get through this,” she says. “You have to do your research and get answers.” To see more stories and resources, visit Expose-MBC.com/ADC.
