Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 42-year-old woman recently diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. I am scared and confused. What makes this type different from other breast cancers? I have heard it is more aggressive- is that true? What are my treatment options, and how do they differ from other breast cancer treatments?
I am trying to stay positive, but it is hard.
Any advice on coping with this diagnosis would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and expertise.
Please help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Triple-negative breast cancers (a subtype of breast cancer that is characterized by the absence of three receptors known to fuel most breast cancers: estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)) are a slightly more aggressive form of breast cancer compared with other types of breast cancer. For example, hormone-positive breast cancers.
Triple-negative means it has no hormone receptors, ER (estrogen receptors), and PR (progesterone receptors). It will not respond to hormone treatment, and it has the tendency to grow and spread faster than other forms of breast cancer.
Triple-negative breast cancers are treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as surgery and radiation therapy. The exact treatment depends upon the stage and molecular profile of the disease, which is usually early-stage. Triple-negative breast cancer responds well to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Triple-negative breast cancer is more common in younger or premenopausal women, and many of them have a BRCA genetic mutation. So, it is recommended that BRCA genetic testing be done, and if it proves positive, other family members should also go for screening and BRCA testing. Most patients with triple-negative breast cancer at an early stage are curable with the treatment.
I hope this helps.
Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.
Thank you.
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