Scientists are taking aim at an particularly devastating type of cancer known as "triple negative" breast cancer.

Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center -- Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James) said they are launching two new clinical trials taking aim at “triple negative” breast cancer an aggressive, treatment-resistant form of the disease.

Triple negative cases account for approximately 15 percent of all breast cancers. It’s usually diagnosed before age 50 and besides African Americans, Hispanic women are also at higher risk. Scientists said women are diagnosed with “triple negative” breast cancer when their tumors lack three hormone receptors doctors normally target with treatment to kill breast cancer: the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor and the HER-2 receptor.

Researchers have made great leaps in treatment, and more studies are ongoing.

This kind of innovation impresses Dr. Kim Bates, who is not only as a physician, but also a triple negative breast cancer survivor.

Kim, 36, who is African American, has survived two bouts of triple negative breast cancer and recently tested positive for the gene mutation, leading her to take drastic steps to control it.

“In 2009 I had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, then later a total hysterectomy,” Kim says.

That may seem aggressive, but as a physician, Kim said she knew what she was facing, and she’s happy to hear that breast cancer experts continue to investigate new treatments for this specific type of the disease.

“It’s really important for me that studies looking at triple negative breast cancer are happening,” Kim says. “Triple negative patients are so much different than the rest of beast cancer patients and things that have worked in the past might not work now. We’ve got to think outside the box.”