--- title: "Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Treatment & Prognosis" description: "Triple-negative breast cancer lacks oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. More common in younger women; treatment is advancing." url: https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/triple-negative-breast-cancer/ robots: noindex --- # Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Treatment & Prognosis Breast health information Triple-negative breast cancer lacks oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. More common in younger women; treatment is advancing. Treatment and care explained. ## Quick answer Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by what it lacks — ER, PR and HER2 receptors. This means standard hormone and targeted therapies do not work, but new treatments are improving outcomes. **Your next step:** see a GP (or your doctor, if you live outside the UK) about any new breast or chest change. These guides explain general information; your care team can advise on your own situation. **Content updated:** 28 May 2026 . Independent clinical review has not yet been recorded for this page. [How we prepare health information](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/) · [Report an error](https://breastcancer-charity.org/corrections/) At a glance TNBC accounts for around 15% of all breast cancers Hormone therapies and Herceptin are not effective for TNBC TNBC is approximately twice as common in Black women as white women Immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) is now approved for high-risk early TNBC ## What makes it "triple negative"? Breast cancers are tested for three receptors: oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2. "Triple negative" means all three tests come back negative. This matters because many effective breast cancer treatments target these receptors — so TNBC cannot be treated with [tamoxifen](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/hormone-therapy-side-effects/), anastrozole (hormone therapies) or trastuzumab (Herceptin). Treatment relies primarily on chemotherapy. ## Who is most affected? TNBC accounts for around 15% of all breast cancers. It is more common in: - Younger women (particularly under 40) - Black women — TNBC is approximately twice as common in Black women as in white women - Women with [BRCA1](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-genes-and-family-history/) mutations - Premenopausal women ## Treatment Chemotherapy is the primary systemic treatment for TNBC. It is often given before surgery (neoadjuvant), where it can shrink the tumour and help surgeons achieve better results. If cancer cells are still present in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, capecitabine is offered as additional treatment. [Immunotherapy](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/immunotherapy-for-breast-cancer/) has been a significant advance for TNBC. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is now approved alongside chemotherapy for early-stage, high-risk TNBC, and for some advanced TNBC cases. For BRCA-mutated TNBC, PARP inhibitors (olaparib, talazoparib) are highly effective. ## Prognosis TNBC tends to be more aggressive than other types, but it also tends to respond well to chemotherapy when it does respond. Some TNBC patients achieve complete pathological response (no cancer cells left) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy — and this predicts an excellent outcome. ## Frequently asked questions What is triple negative breast cancer? Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) tests negative for oestrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and HER2. This means standard hormone therapies and Herceptin are not effective. Treatment relies primarily on chemotherapy. Immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) is now approved for high-risk early TNBC, significantly improving outcomes. Is triple negative breast cancer hereditary? TNBC is more commonly associated with BRCA1 gene mutations than other breast cancer types. If you are diagnosed with TNBC — especially under 50 — your oncologist should discuss genetic testing. If a BRCA mutation is found, there are targeted treatment options (PARP inhibitors) and implications for family members. What is the prognosis for triple negative breast cancer? TNBC tends to be more aggressive than hormone receptor-positive cancers, but it also responds well to chemotherapy when it does respond. Some patients achieve complete pathological response — no cancer cells in the surgical specimen — after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which predicts an excellent outcome. Immunotherapy has further improved prognosis in recent years. ## Sources and further reading - [NHS inform: breast cancer in women](https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/breast-cancer-in-women/) - [NICE NG101: triple-negative breast cancer](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng101/chapter/Recommendations#triple-negative-erprher2-negative-breast-cancer) - [NICE NG101: tumour profiling and genetic testing](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng101/chapter/Recommendations#assessment-of-tumour-profile-and-genetic-testing) - [NICE TA851: pembrolizumab for early triple-negative breast cancer](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta851) - [NICE TA801: pembrolizumab with chemotherapy for advanced triple-negative breast cancer](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta801) - [NICE TA886: olaparib for BRCA-positive high-risk early breast cancer](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta886) - [WHO: breast cancer fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer) This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance. Source links do not imply endorsement by the NHS or another organisation. See our [editorial policy](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/). ## Keep reading [Support ### Where can I get breast cancer support in the UK?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/breast-cancer-support/) [🔬 ### What are the different types of breast cancer?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/)[💊 ### What treatments are used for breast cancer?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-treatment/)[👩 ### Can young women get breast cancer?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-young-women/)