Question 1

What is triple-positive breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Triple-positive breast cancer is a subtype of the disease, where cancer cells in the breast have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and an excess of the human epidermal growth factor (HER2) protein, said Kefah Mokbel, a professor and oncoplastic breast surgeon at the London Breast Institute, that act as receptors. “When the hormones bind to their receptors, they tell the cell to grow. And too many HER2 proteins make breast cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled way,” according to Breastcancer.org. The term triple-positive refers to the cancer’s hormone receptor status — whether cells have various receptors. Triple-negative breast cancer, for example, doesn’t have estrogen or progesterone receptors and little HER2 protein present in the cells, according to the American Cancer Society. Knowing the hormone receptor status can help an oncologist determine treatment. “Prognosis depends on the cancer’s stage and response to treatment,” Mokbel said, adding that the size of the cancer and the individual’s genes can also shape recovery. Cancers are grouped into stages on a scale of 0 to 4, with 4 being the most advanced. Fischer said her cancer was Stage 1.

Question 2

What is the treatment for triple-positive breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Triple-positive breast cancer is a “very treatable breast cancer but the treatments often include chemotherapy even in the earlier stages,” said Maryam Lustberg, associate professor of medical oncology at Yale School of Medicine. Triple-positive breast cancer used to be harder to treat but nowadays, with better drug therapies, it has become more responsive to targeted treatments and the prognosis has improved significantly, Mokbel said. “Early detection and personalized treatment plans are key in managing this subtype effectively,” he added. Treatments for triple-positive breast cancer include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy. Fischer said that after her diagnosis, she had a lumpectomy, a type of surgery to remove the tumor. “Luckily my cancer was caught early and it hadn’t spread into my lymph nodes or throughout the rest of my body,” she said. However, it still required chemotherapy and radiation to ensure it didn’t return, she added. She had “12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy” in February and “three weeks of radiation” in June, she said. Both treatments aim to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. She would continue to receive drug infusions to ensure she stays cancer free, she said, adding: “I’m happy to say I’m feeling great.” “Thanks to research there are many good treatments for this type of breast cancer so there is a good chance that the outcome will be positive,” said Valerie Speirs, a professor of molecular oncology at the University of Aberdeen in Britain. Fischer said she lost her hair during chemotherapy and thanked her “amazing village” of family, friends, medical professionals and cancer survivors for helping her through her health journey. Her “Office” co-star Angela Kinsey, she said, supported her by wearing “hats to our work meetings so I wouldn’t be the only one. When I needed a break, we took one.”

Question 3

How can you screen for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

While there is no way to prevent cancer completely, Mokbel said in an email that women can lower their risk through “regular screening (especially for those with risk factors), maintaining a healthy lifestyle and discussing genetic testing or preventive strategies with their doctor if they have a family history of breast cancer.” The symptoms of triple-positive breast cancer can be similar to most other types of invasive breast cancer, most commonly a lump or mass found in the breast or underarm, Breastcancer.org said. As with other types of breast cancer, the diagnosis of triple-positive breast cancer usually involves a mammogram or breast MRI. If the imaging test results suggest breast cancer, it may be followed by a biopsy — testing a sample of the tissue. The biopsy should screen for estrogen and progesterone receptors and the amount of HER2 proteins in cancer cells to determine the hormone receptor status. “A woman could present to her doctor with symptoms, e.g. a lump, or a suspicious area could be found in the breast by routine mammographic screening,” Speirs said in an email. “Be breast aware and if you notice anything unusual ask your doctor to check it out.” Fischer said an initial routine mammogram’s results were inconclusive because of “dense breast tissue,” and an ultrasound followed by a biopsy in her left breast confirmed her cancer diagnosis. “My tumor was so small it could not be felt on a physical exam,” Fischer said. “If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse. It could have spread,” she added, urging people to schedule their mammograms. “Consider this your kick in the butt to get it done,” she said.

‘Office’ star Jenna Fischer had triple-positive breast cancer. What is it?

Fischer said she had recently become “cancer free” after months of treatment.