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Higher triple-negative risk due to genetics or environment?

Page last modified on: August 19, 2008
Question from Stej: Studies have presented some evidence about greater risk of triple-negative breast cancers among African-American women and Latinas compared to white women. Is the risk of triple-negative breast cancers due to differences in genes or is it environmental exposures?
Answer —George Sledge, M.D.: This is one of those $64,000 questions that we don't know the answer to. It is interesting that if one looks at women in Nigeria, a high percentage of women there have triple-negative breast cancers. So this may indeed be more than just environment; there may be an important genetic component although we have not identified what that is at present. Indeed, the only genetic factor we have identified so far for triple-negative breast cancers (and only in a small percentage) is the BRCA1 mutation.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2008 our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. George Sledge, M.D. and Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about triple-negative breast cancer and its treatment.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

George Sledge, M.D.George Sledge, M.D. is the Ballvé-Lantero Professor of Oncology at Indiana University at Indianapolis, where he co-directs Indiana University Simon Cancer Center's Breast Cancer Program.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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