What is the first treatment for triple-negative breast cancer?

Triple-negative breast cancer does not use the hormone receptors or HER2 pathway targeted by several other breast cancer medicines. Chemotherapy can treat cancer cells throughout the body and may shrink the breast tumour before an operation. This approach also gives the team information about how the tumour responds while treatment is underway. Immunotherapy may be combined with chemotherapy for suitable cases, depending on stage, health and treatment criteria. PARP inhibitor therapy may be relevant when inherited or tumour-related gene findings support it, usually in a specific treatment setting.

Ask whether the recommended plan begins with chemotherapy, whether immunotherapy is appropriate, and what tests are needed before treatment. Your team may check blood counts, organ function, pregnancy status when relevant, and other factors that affect drug choice. Discuss fertility, contraception, work, infection precautions and ways to manage nausea, tiredness or changes in blood counts. The next step after the initial medicines may include breast surgery, further systemic treatment or radiotherapy according to the response and staging.

During chemotherapy or immunotherapy, contact the oncology service promptly for fever, chills, new breathlessness, severe diarrhoea, a widespread rash, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down. A painful red area around a line or port also needs advice. Do not wait for the next appointment when a symptom is sudden, severe or worsening.

Why is treatment before surgery recommended for me? Am I a candidate for immunotherapy? Do I need genetic or tumour testing for PARP inhibitor therapy? How will response be checked? What symptoms should trigger an urgent call?