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What is triple-negative breast cancer—is it harder to treat?
After a diagnosis, doctors test the cancer cells. One test checks a protein called HER2. HER2 is found on the outside of breast cells.
After a breast cancer diagnosis, doctors test the cancer cells. One test checks HER2, a protein on the outside of breast cells. Too much HER2 can make cancer grow faster and spread more easily. Another test checks for estrogen and progesterone receptors in the cancer tissue. High levels of these receptors can also make cancer grow more quickly. These results help your care team choose the right treatment. Options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Hormone therapy blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Targeted therapy attacks specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. Immunotherapy is another option. Ask your care team what your results mean for you.
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This page is educational, not medical advice. Talk with your care team about decisions that apply to you. If something feels urgent, contact your care team — for emergencies call your local emergency number.
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