While breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among females globally, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in India among females. The number of estimated breast cancer deaths was 98,337 only for the year 2022 in India, as reported by the Global Cancer Observatory, IARC-WHO, 2022. 

Indeed, the number is frightening, and it’s time for us to educate ourselves on how to fight against this deadly disease. Today, let’s talk about the alarming burden of triple-negative breast cancer (often shortened to TNBC) – prevention and triple-negative breast cancer treatment in Noida.  What Is Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

To get a clear idea about triple-negative breast cancer, we must first understand how breast cancer is classified. The presence of three major receptors classifies most common types of breast cancer

• Oestrogen receptors (ER-positive)

• Progesterone receptors (PR-positive)

• Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2-positive)

The name of triple-negative breast cancer comes from the concept that its tumour cells do not test positive for any of these above receptors. 

Unlike most breast cancers, such as Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and lobular breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer is one of the rare forms of invasive breast cancer, accounting for 15% of all breast cancer. 

As the least common type of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer poses a higher risk of spreading than other breast cancer types. Even it is the hardest to treat since targeted therapies don’t work for TNBC.

Hence, we need to be careful and more aware. 

Read on to learn about triple-negative breast cancer symptoms, its prognosis and diagnosis, its stages and triple-negative breast cancer treatment in Delhi or any other location in India.

Symptoms of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer symptoms are similar to other more common breast cancers, like –

• New lump or mass in the breast, under the arm or around the collarbone

• Change in breast size or shape

• Dimpling skin over the breast

• Breast tenderness or nipple pain

• Nipple retraction

• Nipple discharge (not breast milk)

• Swollen lymph nodes

However, having some of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer. If you experience any of these symptoms that continue beyond one menstrual cycle, it’s highly advisable to consult a good oncologist in Noida, who may recommend some tests.

How To Diagnose Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

Timely detection and accurate diagnosis can remarkably impact the prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer. A reputable healthcare provider, especially an oncologist in Delhi, typically follows a series of steps for TNBC’s diagnosis.

• Physical examination to check for suspicious mass or lumps in the breast

• Mammogram or breast x-ray to locate and identify any unusual changes

• Biopsy to collect the sample of breast tissue for testing

• Molecular tests to study the breast cancer type, tumour size and how much it has spread –

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Ultrasound

• Computed tomography (CT) scan

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Treatment for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Once the diagnosis of TNBC is performed and the cancer stage is confirmed, the healthcare providers start their treatment plan. As we mentioned, TNBC is particularly complicated as it lacks hormone receptors, and there is no obvious drug target for this cancer, as happens with HR-positive or HER2-positive breast cancer.

However, a good breast cancer doctor in Noida and other locations can dictate the combination of drugs and some treatment plans, including –

• Chemotherapy – A combination of chemotherapy and surgery to treat the early stage of triple-negative breast cancer

• Immunotherapy – A combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy to shrink cancerous tumours before surgery

• Surgery – A lumpectomy to remove a breast lump or mastectomy for the entire breast removal surgery, followed by a sentinel node biopsy or axillary node surgery to detect if the breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes

• Targeted Therapy – A combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy with treatments to get rid of the cancerous cells

• Radiation Therapy – Radiation for the post-surgery period to reduce the chance of recurring the cancer

Different Stages of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

In order to plan the treatment, the oncologists determine the TNM cancer staging system. Here, ‘T’ stands for tumour size, ‘N for cancer spreading in lymph nodes, and ‘M’ for metastasis. The four stages of TNBC are –

Fighting Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Even if you’ve been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is challenging to treat, we want you to know that it is treatable with an accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies by the right medical professionals. 

You can consider visiting Dr Manish Singhal, the best breast cancer doctor in Noida and Delhi, to get help with early detection, personalised breast cancer treatment plans and strong support networks.

Always remember to be proactive regarding your health because that can only make a significant difference in fighting against health conditions like triple-negative breast cancer.