When Cancer Storylines Mimic Reality
- “Emmerdale” soap opera star Lucy Pargeter, 46, who portrays “Chas Dingle” was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer on a recent episode of the series. While fictionalized on-screen, Dingle’s struggles coping with her diagnosis and sharing it with family are real-life concerns for many patients.
- Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. The triple-negative distinction means the cancer does not have any of the main drivers of breast cancer the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, and the HER2 receptor – making it difficult to treat.
- There are several options for people with triple-negative breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and an antibody-drug conjugate.
- Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet that there is no “one right way” to seek support while coping with a diagnosis. She adds some people are comfortable talking openly about their diagnosis, while others prefer to keep it private, and both approaches are normal.
- She encourages those close to a person going through cancer to be respectful of their wishes when it comes to how they are comfortable seeking support.
The popular soap opera “Emmerdale” places one of its biggest stars in an emotional predicament when she faces a cancer diagnosis. “Chas Dingle,” played by actress Lucy Pargeter, 46, is diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer – an aggressive form of the disease – in storyline. Adding to the drama is Dingle’s complicated relationship with her family and her struggles to tell them about her cancer.
While the scenario is fictional on-screen, this series of events is a reality for many people diagnosed with cancer and wrestling with their health and who to tell about it.
Triple-negative breast cancer means that your cancer is not being fueled by any of the three main types of receptors: estrogen, progesterone, and 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.
After coping with her diagnosis, Dingle then struggled with sharing her diagnosis with her family, particularly her estranged son. While the storyline added the drama, for cancer patients, this stage of the journey is all too real.
Pargeter has since taken to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to fans deeply touched by the episode.
“Just want to first apologize for not replying to each of you who this story has personally connected with,” Pargeter said in a social media post.
Just want to first apologise for not replying to each of you you who this story has personally connected with , I have read every one of your messages, but I’m finding it hard to read , learn lines and be a mum all at the same time at the moment. You are incredible 🧡
— lucy pargeter (@lucyparge) January 24, 2024
Fans showered Pargeter’s social media timeline with more supportive comments.
“I have just been given the all-clear from a breast cancer scare. It is so personal and all-consuming. Thank you, Lucy, for highlighting this very topical issue,” X user Stephanie Jenkins commented.
Helping Patients Cope with a Cancer Diagnosis
How and When to Share Your Diagnosis
“People should do what feels right to them,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet.
It takes time to cope with a diagnosis, and part of that process includes how to talk to other people about what you are going through. Some people are more open about their diagnosis for reasons that may consist of showing others battling cancer that they are not alone. However, other people prefer to keep their diagnosis close to the vest to avoid unwanted judgment from others.
“Going through a cancer diagnosis, through treatment, is often a very long process. And then, if you include after treatment ends where a person is in limbo, waiting to see if they are clear and get their scans. It may be three months or six months into the future. People are still dealing with uncertainty at that point.”
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer also have more treatment options. Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease because the cancer cells don’t have the main drivers: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors.
Therefore, the cancer doesn’t respond to treatments that target those receptors. For this reason, the most effective way oncologists tend to treat triple-negative breast cancer is with chemotherapy.
WATCH: What is triple-negative breast cancer?
FDA-approved sacituzumab govitecan (brand name Trodelvy) for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who had already had two prior treatments. Trodelvy is an antibody-drug conjugate that’s implemented through an IV infusion.
An anti-cancer drug is attached to an antibody that recognizes cancer cells. Once in the bloodstream, the antibodies travel straight to the cancer cells and deliver the anti-cancer drug directly to them.
Trodelvy was shown to double the survival time of patients over chemotherapy.
Traditional chemotherapy doesn’t target cancer cells as strictly. It can damage healthy cells at the same time.
When the healthy cells are impacted, that’s what causes the side effects for which chemo is well known, such as hair loss.
In many cases, there may be options to mitigate the side effects of cancer treatment. It would be best if you talked with your doctor to explore your options.
Trodelvy carries some side effects, too. About one in 10 people who take the drug have severe diarrhea. About half hit very low levels of the type of white blood cell (neutrophils) that help fight bacterial infections.
Your doctor may have some resources to help you better manage these potential side effects.
WATCH: How Does Trodelvy Work for HER2-Negative, HR-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Additionally, immunotherapy has been approved to help treat triple-negative breast cancer.
Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment method that uses the body’s own immune system to combat the cancer.
For women expressing the PD-L1 protein, the pembrolizumab (Keytruda) may extend survival.
PD-L1 (a type of protein) on the surface of tumor cells communicates with PD-1 on the surface of immune T-cells to convince the immune system not to fight the cancer. Drugs that block PD-1 or PD-L1 help the immune system see the cancer for the threat that it is and launch an attack.
What To Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about how to keep your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
- What treatment will I be receiving?
- What side effects are associated with this treatment?
- Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
- What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
- Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
- Can you suggest a dietician who can help me with healthy eating tips and weight maintenance?
- I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Do you have any treatment recommendations?
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