Triple negative refers to breast cancer that is estrogen receptor negative (ER-), progesterone receptor negative (ER-), and HER2/neu negative (HER2-). In other words, triple negative breast cancer does not express receptors for estrogen or progesterone and does not overexpress HER2. That is not to say that hormones do not influence this type of breast cancer. For example, women with metabolic syndrome (which involves distorted hormonal interactions) are more likely to have triple negative breast cancer upon diagnosis than women without it.

However, generally speaking, drugs or foods that reduce the production of estrogen or block its effects in the body are not effective treatments for this type of breast cancer. Therefore, in addition to surgery and radiation treatment, chemotherapy represents the best opportunity to eradicate breast cancer cells and prevent metastasis. Hence, it vitally important for patients to maximize this opportunity to improve their prognosis (see our articles on Taxol or Adriamycin chemotherapy).

Triple negative tumors have a greater tendency to metastasize first to the liver and brain than other breast cancer subtypes. African-American women and Latinas are more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative disease than are Caucasians.

In the Selected breast cancer studies section below, we provide links to 20 of the most recent studies concerning triple negative breast cancer prognosis. However, because there are so many studies concerning triple negative breast cancer, we have also organized all of the triple negative studies in our database by subtopic. Click on any of the links below to view comments and studies concerning that triple negative breast cancer subtopic only. The studies summarized under Prognosis of triple negative breast cancer compared to other breast cancer subtypes provide the most extensive recurrence and survival statistics for those with triple negative breast cancer.

Please also see our articles on triple negative breast cancer, which describes the disease, and what to eat if you have triple negative breast cancer.

Food for Breast Cancer triple negative breast cancer articles

Below are links to all of the other articles concerning triple negative breast cancer.
Triple negative breast cancer
What should triple negative breast cancer patients and survivors eat?
Prognosis of triple negative breast cancer compared to other breast cancer subtypes
Patterns of recurrence in triple negative breast cancer patients
Tumor characteristics influencing prognosis of triple negative breast cancer
Prognosis of African Americans and Latinas with triple negative breast cancer
Influence of BMI, metabolic syndrome and diabetes on triple negative breast cancer prognosis
Triple negative breast cancer prognosis according to age at diagnosis
To see all of the articles, news stories and studies concerning triple negative breast cancer, click on the tripleNegative tag in the list of tags directly below.