How long does chemotherapy take to work for triple-negative breast cancer?

Your team may assess the breast and lymph nodes by examination and imaging. If chemotherapy is given before surgery, the tissue removed at surgery can provide additional information about how much cancer remains. A smaller lump is useful information but does not replace the planned assessment. Treatment may include other medicines, and the sequence is tailored to tumour features, stage and your health.

Keep a record of changes in the breast, skin, pain, appetite and energy, and mention them at each visit. Tell the team promptly about fever, diarrhoea, mouth sores, numbness or new pain. Take anti-nausea and other supportive medicines as prescribed. Ask whether a scan or examination will decide the next step and what happens if treatment needs adjusting.

Call your oncology team urgently for fever or chills, severe allergic symptoms during or after an infusion, breathing difficulty, chest pain, uncontrolled vomiting or sudden weakness. A new breast change should be reported at review, while severe or rapidly worsening symptoms need earlier contact.

Ask when response will be checked, whether treatment is intended before surgery, and how examination, imaging and surgical findings will be combined. Ask which side effects are expected, which require a same-day call, and how the plan changes if the tumour responds slowly.