A most recently discovered kind of breast cancer has been known to strike most often in African American and younger women.

The abbreviation TNBC means that the offending tumor is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative, thus giving rise to the name “triple negative breast cancer.

This type of breast cancer is aggressive and can be of a dangerous nature. Recent figures show that 15-20% of breast cancers are diagnosed as TNBC.

Research into improving treatment for TNBC is being supported by The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Together, they were responsible for assembling the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Symposium.

African-American and Hispanic women, including but not solely related to women of a lower socioeconomic status seem to be more susceptible to TNBC. Its thought there could be connections between certain environmental factors that may influence the chances of these types of women being diagnosed with TNBC.

For more information about Triple Negative Breast Cancer, we highly recommend visiting the following websites:

The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation
A nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The Foundation supports scientists and researchers in their efforts to determine the definitive causes of triple negative breast cancer so that effective detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved. Since its inception in 2006, TNBC has raised over $600,000 to further this mission.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, is an organization supporting breast cancer research. Since its inception in 1982, Komen has raised over $1 billion for research, education and health services, making it the largest breast cancer charity in the US.

You can also read Christine’s contribution to our survivorship stories section. Christine’s story began in December 2005, and shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, stage 2.  She’s a survivor, read her story here.