Select Stage
The term ‘triple negative’ is used to describe a type of breast cancer that does not have any of the three receptors commonly found on breast cancer cells.1
Depending on the stage of its diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) can be particularly aggressive, and more likely to come back (recur) than other subtypes of breast cancer.1
TNBC has a greater chance of developing into an advanced (metastatic) stage and has poorer clinical outcomes as shown by higher relapse rates and lower survival rates.2
Just over 3,000 Australians a year are diagnosed with TNBC, which is about 15% of the total breast cancer diagnoses across the country each year.3
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that doesn’t have any of the three receptors commonly found on breast cancer cells.1
Receptors are connection points that hormones or other proteins can bind to. Triple negative refers to oestrogen (estrogen) receptor (ER) negative, progesterone receptor negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) negative status.1,2
Being triple negative means a different approach to treatment is needed.
Oestrogen and progesterone receptors allow the naturally occurring female hormones oestrogen and progesterone to attach. These hormones help the cancer cells to grow and divide. If present, hormone or endocrine therapy can be used to interfere with the receptors, slowing or stopping cancer growth.3
HER2 is a protein that may be over-produced in breast cancer that has too many copies of the HER2 gene. The protein tells the cancer cells to grow and divide. Targeted therapy drugs are available to shut down the HER2 protein, slowing the growth and killing these cancer cells.3
If your cancer tests positive for these three locks (or receptors), doctors have several “keys” (like hormone therapy or other drugs) they can use to help destroy the cancer cells and “get inside”.
If you have TNBC, those three protective locks aren’t there. This means doctors have fewer “keys” for treatment.
Despite this, there are treatment options available.
Because of the triple negative status, this type of breast cancer does not respond to commonly used hormone or HER2 blocking treatments.1,2 However, other treatments are available, and more are undergoing clinical trials.
Depending on the stage of diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) can be more aggressive, and more likely to come back (recur) than other subtypes of breast cancer.1
TNBC is more likely to develop into an advanced (metastatic) stage and has lower survival rates than other types of breast cancer.2
Keep in mind that this information is based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had TNBC, and we can’t predict what will happen in your individual case.
About 15% of total breast cancer cases diagnosed each year are triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is just over 3,000 Australians.1-4
Anyone can get triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). But we do know it is more common in the following groups:
More recently, a 2024 study5 found an increased risk of TNBC in women who have:
A lower risk of TNBC was found in those who:
References:
1. Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Triple Negative Breast Cancer. [Accessed 26/08/2024]. Available at: https://www.acrf.com.au/support-cancer-research/types-of-cancer/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
2. Breast Cancer Trials. Triple negative breast cancer: Symptoms, treatment & prevention. [Accessed 26/08/2024]. Available at: https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
3. Cancer Australia. Stages of invasive breast cancer. [Accessed 26/08/2024]. Available at: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/stages-invasive-breast-cancer
4. Cancer Australia. Breast cancer in Australia statistics. [Accessed 26/08/2024]. Available at: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/statistics
5. Kumar et al. The unique risk factor profile of triple-negative breast cancer: a comprehensive meta-analysis. NCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 116, Issue 8, August 2024, Pages 1210–1219, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djae056. [Accessed 8/9/2024]. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/116/8/1210/7623085
There is no definite way to prevent breast cancer, however there are risk factors that you can manage to reduce the likelihood of future breast cancer. You can use the online iPrevent tool to better understand your breast cancer risk and act on it.1
Early detection is crucial for improving outcomes, especially in TNBC.1 Genetic testing, regular screening and lifestyle modifications can play a significant role.
Regular mammograms and being breast aware are essential for early detection. Women with a higher genetic risk may need to start screening earlier and more frequently.2
References:
1. Breast cancer trials. Triple negative breast cancer: Symptoms, treatment & prevention. [Accessed 13/9/2024]. Available at: https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
2. Breast cancer trials. Breast cancer prevention. [Accessed 13/9/2024]. Available at: https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/breast-cancer-prevention/
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered an aggressive cancer because it grows quickly, is more likely to have spread at the time it’s found and is more likely to come back after treatment than other types of breast cancer.1
Keep in mind that this information is based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had TNBC, and we can’t predict what will happen in your individual case.
References:
1. American Cancer Society. Triple-negative Breast Cancer. [Accessed 13/9/2024]. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/types-of-breast-cancer/triple-negative.html
It is difficult to accurately predict an individual’s likely course or outcome (prognosis) after a cancer diagnosis. Cancer survival is often used as an indicator of cancer prognosis at a population level.1
We don’t have Australian data on the prognosis or survival rates of triple negative breast cancer.1 The relative 5-year survival rate for all types of breast cancer is 92%. This means that those who have breast cancer are, on average, 92% as likely to be alive for at least 5 years after their diagnosis compared with women in the general population who don’t have breast cancer.1,2
The relative 5-year survival is lower at each stage of diagnosis. It is 32% for Stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer.1,3
References:
1. Breast Cancer Trials. Triple negative breast cancer: Symptoms, treatment & prevention. [Accessed 16/09/2024]. Available at: https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Cancer Data in Australia. [Accessed 16/09/2024]. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/
3. Cancer Australia. National Cancer Control Indicators. Relative survival by stage at diagnosis (female breast cancer). [Accessed 16/09/2024]. Available at: https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/relative-survival-stage-diagnosis-female-breast-cancer
This site is tailored to meet you where you are, offering practical resources, personal stories, insights, and more—all in one easy-to-navigate space. By choosing the stage relevant to you, the information available on this site will be tailored to you.
These are explanations of terms that medical professionals and others may use when discussing your TNBC.
Advanced breast cancer
A commonly used term for secondary, metastatic or stage 4 breast cancer
Adjuvant therapy/treatment
Treatment (e.g. chemotherapy) given after surgery.
Alopecia
Hair loss
Areola
The area around the nipple
Axillary dissection/clearance
The removal of some or all of the lymph nodes from the armpit to see if the breast cancer has spread beyond the breast.
Benign
Not cancerous
Biopsy
The removal of cells or tissue from the body to see if they are cancer cells
BRCA1 and BRCA2
Women with a fault, or mutation, in one of these genes have a higher than normal chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer
Breast conserving surgery
Surgery to remove breast cancer and a small area of healthy tissue around the cancer. Also known as lumpectomy.
Chemotherapy
Treatment for cancer using drugs
Clinical trials
Studies involving patients to see if a new treatment is better than an existing one
Complementary medicines
Complementary medicines are products that are used in addition to conventional medical treatments (e.g. chemotherapy and hormone therapies). Complementary medicines include vitamin and mineral supplements, such as fish oil capsules or vitamin D tablets, and herbal medicines.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies are practices that are used in addition to conventional medical treatments (e.g. chemotherapy and hormone therapies).Some examples of complementary therapies often used by women with breast cancer include massage, yoga, acupuncture and reflexology.
Double mastectomy
Removal of both breasts during breast cancer surgery
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
Non-invasive breast cancer confined to the ducts of the breast
Early breast cancer
Breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or lymph nodes under the arm
Early menopause
Menopause occurring in women under 45 years of age. Early menopause is often a side effect of some common treatments for breast cancer.
Lymph nodes
Glands in the armpit and other parts of the body that filter and drain lymph fluid, trapping bacteria, cancer cells and any other particles that could be harmful to the body
Lymphoedema
A condition that sometimes develops when lymph nodes have been removed during breast cancer surgery and the lymph fluid no longer drains freely, causing swelling in the arm, hand or breast
Lumpectomy
Another name for breast conserving surgery
Mastectomy
The removal of the whole breast during breast cancer surgery
Metastatic breast cancer
Another term for secondary, advanced, or stage 4 breast cancer
Multidisciplinary Team
Often abbreviated to MDT. A team of health professionals who work together to manage a patient’s treatment and care
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Chemotherapy treatment given before breast cancer surgery (sometimes used to reduce the size of the tumour to make it easier for the surgeon to operate)
Oestrogen
A type of female hormone
Partial mastectomy
Another term for breast conserving surgery
PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)
A scheme funded by the Australian Government to subsidise the cost of certain drugs for eligible consumers
Progesterone
A type of female hormone
Radiotherapy
Treatment for cancer using X-rays that target a particular area of the body
Secondary breast cancer
Breast cancer that has spread from the breast to other, more distant parts of the body, most commonly the bones, lungs, liver and sometimes the brain. Also known as advanced, metastatic, or stage 4 breast cancer.
Sentinel node biopsy
identification and removal of the first lymph node to which the breast cancer may have spread for testing by a pathologist
Seroma
Fluid that collects in or around a scar after surgery
If you’re a patient, patient organisation, carer or healthcare professional, please let us know if you have any feedback or suggestions for our site.
We will endeavour to answer as soon as possible.