Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that grows and spreads quickly. It’s called triple negative because the cancer cells lack three receptors that are often found in breast cancer: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 protein).
Hormone-targeted treatments may be effective for the types of breast cancer where these receptors are present. But with triple negative breast cancer, hormone therapy won’t work. Therefore, people with TNBC often need more aggressive treatments, like chemotherapy.
TNBC is more common in younger women, Black women, Hispanic women and women with a family history of breast cancer. Certain genetic mutations, such as those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can significantly increase the risk of developing TNBC.
You can’t prevent TNBC, but if you have a family history of breast, pancreatic or prostate cancer, talk to your health care provider about genetic testing for the BRCA gene.
Signs and symptoms of triple negative breast cancer are the same as other types of breast cancer. It is also detected like any type of breast cancer.
You may feel a lump when you’re showering or dressing, or a lump might be spotted when you have a mammogram. Your provider may also find a lump during a clinical breast exam during your regular wellness check.
Be sure to contact a health care provider if you notice:
It’s important to have regular mammograms since they can find breast cancer sooner when it may be more easily treated. Many experts recommend mammograms every year, beginning at age 40. If you’re at higher risk for breast cancer, your provider may recommend earlier and/or more frequent mammograms. It’s important to discuss your risk for breast cancer with your healthcare provider.
If you have a lump in your breast, your provider may want you to have an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI to examine the lump more closely. They may also recommend a biopsy, a procedure where a small tissue sample is removed to check for cancer cells.
If the biopsy shows that you have breast cancer, the cancer cells will be checked to see if they test negative for the three receptors. If they do, triple negative breast cancer is diagnosed. If you have TNBC, your provider may also recommend genetic testing for the BRCA gene. Genetic testing may be considered for all patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
The stages of triple negative breast cancer are the same as other types of breast cancer:
A team of health care providers including oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and other specialists will work with you to put together a personalized treatment plan for TNBC.
Because TNBC can grow and spread quickly, it usually needs aggressive treatment. The good news is that newer treatments have improved the five-year survival rate for TNBC, especially if it is diagnosed in earlier stages.
Treatment may include:
Your care team will help you understand your treatment options so you can make the best decisions about your care.
It's important to be aware of potential side effects of treatment and to address any concerns with your health care provider.
It’s important to take care of yourself as well as you can when you’re facing TNBC. It can help to:
After you’ve finished your cancer treatment, you’ll need regular follow-up visits with your provider to check your overall health. Be sure to talk to your provider about any symptoms or concerns, such as:
It can be tough emotionally to cope with TNBC, so connecting with support is important. Talk to your health care provider about your challenges. They may be able to connect you with resources such as:
Be sure to lean on your friends and family as well. They can give you emotional support and help with things like rides to appointments and getting your daily tasks done.
You can also request an appointment and we’ll call you back at a time most convenient for you.
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