Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Can Be Treated If Caught Early

Early detection is key for this aggressive but treatable form of breast cancer.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:51pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image showing the internal structures of a human breast, with a faint tumor mass visible against a dark background, conceptually illustrating the need for early detection of triple-negative breast cancer.An X-ray image reveals the internal structures of a breast affected by triple-negative breast cancer, highlighting the importance of early detection for this aggressive form of the disease.Baltimore Today

Triple-negative breast cancer represents about 15% of all breast cancer cases and is more common in Black women and patients with BRCA1. While it can be an aggressive form of cancer, it is treatable if caught early. Jasmine Leigh Morse, who has a family history of breast cancer, was diagnosed with Stage 1B triple-negative breast cancer in 2020 and is now cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, and a mastectomy.

Why it matters

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of the disease that lacks the three most common receptors found in other breast cancers, making it more difficult to treat. However, early detection and prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes, underscoring the importance of regular breast cancer screenings.

The details

Triple-negative breast cancer is defined by the absence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and the HER2 protein. This means it does not respond to common breast cancer treatments that target those receptors. Jasmine Leigh Morse, who was diagnosed at a relatively young age, had to undergo intensive treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to overcome her triple-negative diagnosis.

  • Morse was diagnosed with Stage 1B triple-negative breast cancer in August 2020.
  • Morse underwent chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, and a mastectomy in 2021.

The players

Dr. David Riseberg

An oncologist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore who specializes in triple-negative breast cancer.

Jasmine Leigh Morse

A woman in her 30s who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and is now cancer-free after treatment.

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What they’re saying

“When we say 'triple negative,' it means it's negative for the two hormone receptors as well as something called the HER2 receptor. So, these are things that we test for in breast cancer cells.”

— Dr. David Riseberg, Oncologist

“I wasn't even 40, so I hadn't been getting mammograms, and it literally came out of nowhere because I had just had my wellness exam a few months prior.”

— Jasmine Leigh Morse

“We're seeing that, these days, the majority of women with triple-negative breast cancer, who are caught such that they're still in a reasonably early stage, they're surviving it.”

— Dr. David Riseberg, Oncologist

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of regular breast cancer screenings, even for younger women, and the need for increased awareness and research into triple-negative breast cancer, which disproportionately affects certain populations. Early detection and prompt, aggressive treatment can significantly improve outcomes for those diagnosed with this challenging form of the disease.