An oncologist explains what “triple negative” means, and more.
Triple negative breast cancer is one of several types of breast cancer. The “triple negative” in its name refers to the fact that “it does not express any of the three surface receptors that we see in certain types of breast cancer,” said Dr. Jessica Sharpe, a breast oncologist (cancer doctor) at the Vanderbilt Breast Center.
Cancer cells have “receptors” on their surfaces – shapes or structures that proteins or hormones can grab onto. If the right protein or hormone attaches to the receptors, it triggers growth and spread of the cancer cell.
“Triple negative” cancer cells do not have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone. They also do not have much of the protein called human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) on their surface. These three things – estrogen, progesterone, and the HER2 protein – drive other types of breast cancer.
In this Q&A, Sharpe explains what else to know about triple negative breast cancer.
Question: How common is triple negative breast cancer?
Answer: This type makes up about 15% of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year. It’s less common than other types.
Question: Who is most at risk for this type of breast cancer?
Answer: Triple negative breast cancer is “really aggressive,” Sharpe said. “It is also seen in younger women, typically before women go through menopause. And it also has a higher percentage of occurrences in Black women.”
She added, “It’s also more common in folks who have genetic mutations that predispose them to developing breast cancer,” specifically the BRCA1 mutation.
Question: How is triple negative breast cancer treated?
Answer: Like other breast cancers, triple negative can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Because triple negative breast cancer lacks those three important receptors, the types of drugs that target other breast cancers don’t work well against triple negative cancer.
However, Sharpe said, “In the past six years, one of the things that’s really brought a lot of excitement to the field is that we can now use a newer type of anti-cancer treatment called immunotherapy, which I like to think of as really helping the immune system identify and unmask cancer cells and then kill them. And we combine that with chemotherapy. “
Immunotherapy can be done in two different types of patients, Sharpe explained.
It can help people with Stage 2 to 3 triple negative breast cancer in combination with chemotherapy, before surgery.
Immunotherapy can also be given in folks with metastatic disease – Stage 4 cancer, meaning it has spread to other parts of the body.
“At Vanderbilt, we offer a lot of these therapies to folks, and we also have clinical trials looking to see if we can do things like circumvent traditional chemotherapy by using new drugs,” Sharpe said.
Question: How can someone detect triple negative or other breast cancers early?
Answer: “It’s important for us to be getting people in for their annual screenings, and it’s important for you to be thinking about your annual mammograms if you’ve turned 40 recently,” Sharpe said.
Screenings include self-exams of the breast, and mammograms.
Anyone can get triple negative breast cancer, not only older women, so “get your screening mammograms,” Sharpe said, “and please reach out to your primary care doctor with questions if you have any concerns if you do a monthly self-breast exam.”
Dr. Jessica Sharpe explains triple negative breast cancer in this video:
Recently diagnosed with cancer?
The Vanderbilt Breast Center provides specialized care for breast cancer. This team combines advanced research, technology and techniques with compassionate care to create a personalized treatment plan for you and your type of cancer.
