HER2 status and Herceptin

I was dx with invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS Jan 2003 - 2 cm, 4/18 nodes+,grade/stage 2.I had WLE, 6 x FEC, 45 grys rx. Finished treatment Nov 2003. I have no secondaries, but do have Mondor's disease now in the affected breast.I am ER+, PR and HER2 status unknown. I live in the Uk and the govt has just approved testing early stage bc for HER2, but only since last week for new patients. I don't qualify. I wrote my Oncologist 3 weeks ago asking to be tested privately; he responded saying it would not be normal to embark upon HER2 therapy at this stage, the evidence of benefit with Herceptin is when it is used in combination with chemotherapy in the immediate postoperative period.Should I get tested? He is willing to do it privately. Herceptin is not approved in the UK for early stage bc, but I can afford to pay for it privately. - it is some $80,000 for one year treatment here.  A bc friend told me Herceptin is being used in the USA for patients some 4 years out. I want to give myself the very best possible chance of survival. Would welcome your advice as it is a big decision to make, not only financially, but emotionally.
Liz.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Liz:  Herceptin will only work on HER2+ tumors.  It has been used in combination with chemotherapy on women with advanced disease and as part of an adjuvant program in women who are newly diagnosed.  It has been quite a while since you completed your adjuvant therapy and you currently have no evidence of disease.  So the question would be whether there is any benefit to taking the drug at this point in time.  It has not been tested in this setting.  Therefore, there is no evidence that use of Herceptin would be beneficial at this time.