Factors Associated with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Remain Elusive in Black Women

Although breast cancer is less common among black women than among white women, tumors often are diagnosed at more-advanced stages and are associated with worse outcomes in black women. Triple-negative invasive breast cancers lack estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptors. Such tumors constitute about 15% of all invasive breast cancers and often are aggressive and associated with poor prognoses. Although triple-negative breast cancer status has been associated with black race, whether this association is related to other factors in black women is unknown. Using the database of a large New England medical center that provides care to a diverse population, researchers analyzed demographic informat…