Salir
Genetic testing helps catch triple-negative breast cancer
A family history of cancer — and an important test — leads to early detection and successful treatment.
Tasha Champion and her family had always been close.
They enjoyed frequent game nights and lively holiday gatherings.
They grew even closer after Champion and her sister, Tish Smith, were both diagnosed with breast cancer just 2 weeks apart.
A family legacy of cancer
Champion knew that breast cancer ran in her family.
After surviving breast cancer years earlier, her mother, Priscilla Roberts, got a BRCA gene test. (Pronounced “BRAH-kuh,” BRCA is short for BReast CAncer.)
The test showed she had been born with a mutation, or change, in one of her BRCA genes. A BRCA gene mutation can raise the risk of certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer.
“Genetic testing helps us identify people who are more likely to get cancer,” said Monica Alvarado, a genetic counselor and regional genetic services administrator for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. “Genetic changes passed down from one generation to the next cause 10% to 15% of cancers.”
Both Champion and Smith chose to have the same test as their mom. They tested positive, too. That meant they had an increased chance of getting breast and ovarian cancer.
“The BRCA test doesn’t detect cancer itself,” Alvarado explained. “It identifies genetic predispositions that can lead to cancer.”
That knowledge can be lifesaving. People can start screening younger and more frequently. Or they can choose to have preventive surgeries that eliminate most of the risk.
Double mastectomy leads to early diagnosis
Champion’s positive spirit shines through even as she recovers from surgery.
Knowing she had a high risk of developing cancer, Champion took action to protect her health.
After consulting with her genetic counselor, she decided to have a double mastectomy — a surgery to remove both breasts. She made this choice to lower her chances of getting breast cancer.
But during her surgery, doctors discovered that cancer was already growing in her breasts.
Just 2 weeks earlier, Champion’s sister, Smith, had the exact same experience.
“We were both diagnosed the same way,” Champion said.
Treating triple-negative breast cancer
Both sisters were diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of cancer that tends to grow and spread faster than other types.
“‘Triple-negative’ means that the breast cancer cells don’t have 3 key receptors commonly targeted in breast cancer treatments,” explained Champion’s oncologist Reena Vora, MD, who serves as chief of hematology and oncology for Kaiser Permanente in San Bernardino County.
“That makes triple-negative breast cancer harder to treat than other types,” Dr. Vora said.
Triple-negative breast cancer tends to be more common in women who are younger than age 40, who are Black, or who have a BRCA1 mutation, according to the American Cancer Society.
Chemotherapy and targeted immunotherapy are the main treatment options. If the cancer hasn’t spread, surgery can be an option, too.
Champion was diagnosed at an early stage. But because triple-negative breast cancer is more aggressive, Dr. Vora still recommended chemotherapy.
Genetic testing is key to sisters’ fight against cancer
Tasha Champion (in pink) with her son, mother, and sister, Tish Smith (right).
Champion and Smith are both doing well after their double mastectomy surgeries.
“With triple-negative breast cancer, the highest chance of recurrence is within the first 5 years after diagnosis,” said Dr. Vora. “If an individual remains cancer-free, their subsequent risk of developing cancer declines significantly.”
Since her recovery, Champion has found new purpose as a life coach and speaker. She’s passionate about helping other women navigate the challenges of breast cancer.
“Being diagnosed gives you the opportunity to pause and recognize things you don’t normally pay attention to,” Champion said. “You get to do something every day to let cancer know, ‘You don’t get to win here.’”
Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer — especially in relatives under 50. You may be a candidate for genetic testing.
Learn more about cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.