Triple Negative Breast Cancer: What you need to know

We teach you why Triple Negative Breast Cancer is threatening. Learn how it is treated, and it's link to the BRCA genetic mutation.

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LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTORS:

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Questions for your Breast Surgeon and Medical Oncologist:

1. What exactly is triple negative breast cancer?
2. Will I need Chemotherapy?
3. What are the benefits of Neoadjuvant Chemo?
4. Isn’t Neoadjuvant Chemo recommended more now?
5. Do I qualify for BRCA genetic testing?
6. Should I consider a Clinical Trial?
7. What is “Triple Negative” breast cancer?

“Triple Negative” breast cancers are fast growing tumors that more frequently spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. Because of this, they are a bigger threat to your life than most other types of cancers of similar size with a different receptor pattern. These cancers are called “triple negative” because the three most important breast cancer “receptors” on the surface of the cells are not present (negative). When present, these receptors are used as targets to attack the cancer with medications. When absent, the main medical therapy is chemotherapy.

Your Breast Surgeon will know your “receptor pattern” within days after your initial breast biopsy. These results are often not communicated to you early on in your decision process. Although only 15% of breast cancers are “triple negative,” it is imperative that you specifically ask your surgeon immediately, and well before surgery, “What are my receptor results?”

“Triple Negative” is treated with Chemotherapy

These cancers are often sensitive to chemotherapy and it is offered to almost everyone healthy enough to tolerate it. Chemotherapy is obviously a more intense cancer treatment than hormonal therapy (pills). But unfortunately, since triple negative cancers do not have “Estrogen receptors” (ER negative), hormonal therapy is not helpful at all. The time to cure triple negative cancer is now, not when it recurs later. Chemotherapy and surgery is the standard for treating triple negative breast cancer.

Ask about the benefits of “Neoadjuvant Chemo”

What is often overlooked are the benefits of offering neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with triple negative, “Early-Stage” (I & II) breast cancer. There may be distinct advantages (listed below) to having chemotherapy before surgery, not after surgery if you have a triple negative tumor. The decision to consider neoadjuvant chemotherapy always begins with your breast surgeon. You must address this “cutting edge” treatment option well before surgery to benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Do not be afraid to ask. This is a very important question.

The Potential Benefits of Neoadjuvant Chemo:

*Begin life-saving chemotherapy earlier
*Reduce the need for a mastectomy
*Improve cosmetic outcomes with a lumpectomy
*Reduce the need for an “Axillary Dissection”
*Allows more time for BRCA genetic testing
*More time to think about “lumpectomy vs. mastectomy”
*Shows your cancer team if the chemo is working
*Can sometimes eliminate all cancer cells before surgery
*May reduce the need for radiation after a mastectomy

Ask for BRCA Genetic Testing

Triple negative breast cancers can be associated with inherited genetic mutations. Any woman who has ever been diagnosed with a triple negative breast cancer at age 60 or younger is at a high risk for carrying the BRCA mutation. If you also have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer you are at an even higher risk. Unfortunately, genetic testing is often not offered for triple negative breast cancer patients. It is important to ask for BRCA Genetic Testing in this situation.

The BRCA (Breast Cancer) gene is commonly referred to as “The Breast Cancer Gene.” If someone inherits a broken version (mutation) of this gene at conception, they carry a very high lifetime risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

African Americans are a higher risk for Triple Negative

African American and women of West African descent are at a higher risk of developing triple negative breast cancers than most other ethnic groups. Thirty percent (30%) of all breast cancers in this group are triple negative.

Younger women are at a higher risk for Triple Negative

Women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer before 40 are at a higher risk for having triple negative disease when compared to older women. Any women diagnosed before the age of 50 qualifies for genetic testing and should consider genetic counseling.

Ask if you would benefit from a Clinical Trial

New therapies must be studied in clinical trials to make sure they are safe and effective at treating breast cancer. Ask your medical oncologist if they offer or recommend you participate in a clinical trial.

[katanamccargo]

Diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative Jan 22. 🙏 🤲 Did the red devil chemo, surgery then radiation. Praying for everyone reading this. It was terrible but I made it through.

[GospelOutside]

I’m an 8 year survivor. Lumpectomy and radiation. All glory to God!

[youngandcancerfree]

When you are diagnosed with TNBC, the first reaction that most will find is that it equates to a death sentence. This is NOT TRUE! I was diagnosed at 29 yo and now I am 41. I am a 10+ year survivor! You can beat TNBC!!

[eileenenriquez]

I'm triple negative 1 year survivor first treatment is surgery remove my right breast with 7 active lymph node after 1 month I have a 8 session chemotherapy all my hair comes out after 8 session radiation therapy 30 days and I am here continue treatment every month check up of my oncologist doctor I have daily maintenance.. And I TRUST GOD TO HEAL ME 🙏❤

[broganhogan]

Praying for all of you and those in this fight. You're not alone

[janetrodriguez]

I am going on 16 years since being diagnosed with BC. I spent 2 years between chemo. Double mastectomy, and radiation and the removal of 22 lymph nodes. I live each day to the fullest. Never know what tomorrow may bring

[marybennett]

I'm a 22 year survivor of triple negative breast cancer, found very early, treated with lumpectomy and radiation only.

[nonyabiness]

I was recently diagnosed. I’m already a 12 year breast cancer survivor but it wasn’t triple negative the first time. Lumpectomy and radiation then. It’s in the same breast this time, triple negative. So I had a mastectomy, bilateral. I’ll start chemotherapy this month. Lymph nodes were clear. I’m nervous but I’m hoping it goes away and never comes back!

[jeanmakehvandian]

Very imformative! Thank you I've learned a lot about my diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer, my nodes and BRCA came out negative, i had my 2nd cycle of chemo and my tumor shrink from 30 to 17mm. I watched your video about lumpectomy vs mastectomy as well and i am very enlightened. Thank you.

[colinmx.]

Love this doctor he's so calming and helpful with making these serious choices .

[cynthiawing]

I'm 58 years old and was diagnosed with Stage 2b invasive carcinoma Triple Negative Breast Cancer

[rosaliesarad]

I was diagnosed stage 4 metastatic only this month and I'll undergo chemotherapy by next week..i hope everything will be fine, i will no longer undergo surgery my oncologist told me coz it's already in my spines🙏🙏🙏

[sally]

Besides the pain and the suffering, this disease is so costly, my beautiful daughter is only 38 and she is still working because she wants to fight this horrible disease, her body is so tired that I am afraid she will give up. Mayo clinic is treating her, because she has her work insurance, but sometimes that is not enough. I wish that there would be a Saint Jude hospital or another organization for women that are fighting cancer and the treatment could be free.

[deliadavis]

What a great explanation on the treatment therapies on TNBC. Thank you for taking the time to explain this. I just got dx’d with TNBC.

[indiancitizen]

I am ER negative...PR negative... Her 2 negative ....my first Neo adj chemo started on 4th July 2022...I am 46 years old

[corinnewickes]

My daughter was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer but it was stage 4 before she found out and the doctor said having breast surgery would not be a option she had chemotherapy and she lived only 2 years once she was diagnosed . She was only 38 years she passed away August 15th 2019.

[brightdays]

May all living beings be happy, healthy, and attain nirvana!!!

[sarahmichaels]

Could you make a video on Her2 Positive Triple Positive treatment? Thank You.

[kanwalazam]

Good explanation doctor. I have a question if you could please answer .I m one year survivor of this cancer .all of my treatment is successfully done by the grace of God .First chemo then surgery tumor removed then radiation then oral chemo .last week my mammogram report was good.but the thing I can't understand is that my energy level has reduced a lot even though my doc said I m like a normal person but I can't work like before .I am a normal housewife cooking for children sometimes big dinner for guests also but before. I know this is irrelevant question but maybe help many.

[sapananaidu]

I'm TNBC patient undergoing chemotherapy
After MRM done
But I'm facing lot of problems
My mother also had brca.