Office star Jenna Fischer reveals Triple Positive breast cancer diagnosis; what is it?

Office star Jenna Fischer recently talked about her Triple Positive breast cancer diagnosis on social media to spread awareness about the disease and importance of annual mammograms for breast cancer screening. The actor revealed that she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer on December 1, 2023, after a lump was detected in her left breast. She said she's cancer-free now.
"Luckily my cancer was caught early and it hadn't spread into my lymph nodes or throughout the rest of my body, however, because of the aggressive nature of triple positive breast cancer is still required chemotherapy and radiation to be sure it didn't return," she wrote.
Fischer says her tumour was so small that it could not be felt on a physical exam. "If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse. It could have spread," she said.


Triple positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that has three distinct specific features. It has three markers: estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and a protein which is known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This means that the cancer cells tend to grow abnormally in response to hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and protein like HER2.
"Triple-positive breast cancer is more aggressive and spreads faster to other body parts compared to others. Prompt and targeted treatment options can be helpful as this type of cancer responds well to them," says Dr Atul Narayankar, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.


Breast cancer is divided into different sub types depending upon receptor status of tumor, as per experts.
Four subtypes of breast cancer are - hormone receptor positive, HER2-positive, triple positive and triple-negative.
The classification needs to be done to categorize patients who may benefit from targeted therapy, such as hormone therapy and anti HER2 therapy. However, the survival rate or relapse depends upon cancer subtype.
Symptoms are the same as other breast cancer forms and include a lump thickening of the skin, lumps in the underarm region, bloody nipple discharge, says Dr Rohan Khandelwal, Lead Consultant, Oncology & Head, Breast Centre, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
People diagnosed with this type of breast cancer are recommended hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy as part of the treatment plan. It is diagnosed through mammography or ultrasound. A biopsy and a PET scan is also done.
Dr Jyoti Anand, Senior Consultant- Medical Oncologist, Fortis Noida says this breast cancer subtype is more aggressive as compared to hormone receptor-only positive breast cancer but it has got better survival when compared with patients who lack all receptors (triple negative).

Dr Raghav Kesri (Senior Consultant and head Department of Medical Oncology), Yatharth Hospitals, Greater Noida says in a little advanced stage, chemotherapy or the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by surgery and radiation is suggested.

"It is important to eat well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking or drinking to reduce the risk of cancer. Joining support groups online or physically can help cope with challenges associated with triple-positive cancer. Ensure that you take your medications as prescribed by your doctor on time for effective results," says Dr Narayankar.