Triple-negative breast cancer is negative for both estrogen and progesterone receptors. So, it’s hormone receptor-negative. People diagnosed with this type of breast cancer aren’t offered hormonal therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence (the cancer coming back) because it’s thought that they wouldn’t be effective.

Dr. Lisa Newman and colleagues published research that found that among people diagnosed with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, nearly 33% of the recurrences or second primary breast cancers were hormone receptor-positive. This means the hormone receptor status had changed when the cancer came back or when there was a new cancer. The results raise this question: Should people with triple-negative disease be offered hormonal therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence?

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Newman explain:

• how she decided to investigate this issue
• why the results surprised her
• what the results mean for someone who’s been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence