Explain triple negative breast cancer
Generally, a breast cancer cell contains three or three receptors that are required to kill that cancer cell. Those three receptors
- hormones oestrogen
- progesterone
- Her2 protein
For example, a drug called trastuzumab is added to the HER2 receptor to suppress breast cancer cells. In addition, a drug called tamoxifen is added to breast cancer cells to reduce the production of estrogen needed for growth.
But, when one of the tumor cells does not have any of the aforementioned receptors, it’s called a triple-negative breast cancer. This is a very serious cancer case. But you must remember that there are treatments for this. Avoid unnecessary fear. Hormone therapy is very difficult to cure. It is often the case that the relevant cancer cells are cut off. A fraction of women with triple negative breast cancer also have a BRCA1 gene defect. BRCA1 is a genetic defect that can increase the risk of breast cancer in families. This cancer can spread quickly. In the first three years after the onset of cancer, the growth accelerates, and if you miss that risk, there is a complete cure.
Around 15 out of every 100 breast cancers (15%) are triple negative.
Who is at risk for triple negative breast cancer?
As mentioned earlier, not all types of breast cancer can fall into this category. However, it is important to note that between 15% and 20% of people with breast cancer are at risk.
Also, if you are a low-risk person, this risk is high;
- If you are under the age of 38–40.
- A woman of Latin American or African origin.
- In case of a BRCA1 genetic defect.
Symptoms of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)
- A thick bumps or bumps on the breast.
- A change in the shape of the breasts.
- A change in the shape of the nipples. (Sucking the nipple into the breast)
- Blood spots on the nipple
- Itching around the nipple
- Swelling of legs
One important thing to keep in mind is, that whenever the above symptoms are present, they do not count as triple negative breast cancer. To be 100% sure, you will need to undergo a medical checkup. Your doctor will cut some tissue from the breast. This is known as a biopsy. You can check your cancer cells to see if they are a triple negative breast cancer.
How to treat triple negative breast cancer?
Often, patients will first need a lumpectomy (lumpectomy) or complete breast removal (mastitis). They have chemotherapy treatments that target any cancer cells; that have been found — cells that remain in the breast or spread to other parts of the body. Sometimes doctors prescribe a tumor before surgery.
Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a lump in the breast. The lymph nodes are removed to see if the cancer has spread. This surgery does not take much time. It takes about two hours
Mastectomy
Often you can have two surgeries at once. You can inspect your breasts and adjacent lymph nodes while reconstructing your breast. This is called a Mastectomy.
Radiation
Lumpectomies are usually followed by radiation therapy. It usually takes about 20 minutes a day. Most women go about four to five days a week. You should consult a radiologist to do this.
The cancer cells may spread to other parts of the body. The purpose of this therapy is to kill the cancerous cells that spread. This reduces the risk of developing or relapsing cancer.
Side Effects of Treatment
- Hair Loss
- Most women feel sick and exhausted for a day or two after each chemotherapy treatment.
- Tiredness
- Skin damage or change — On or around the skin where you’ve been treated with radiation; you may get some redness or peeling, kind of like a sunburn.
We hope you are aware of something about triple negative breast cancer. Post your comments on this article.
