Thank you for the her2positive site. I am finding it very helpful.
P.S. Since you are Her2+, you may be interested in this wonderful website: www.her2support.org/. There are friendly, knowledgeable, supportive people there who offer thoughtful advice and caring comments. Check it out. Take care.
Hi DCarolR,
Whether or not you want to take all that is offered to you is, of course, up to you. Some women want to attack this disease with everything they can, while others may feel the risks outweigh whatever small benefit the therapy offers. Personally, I opted to do everything I could to reduce my risk of recurrence, as I am in a high risk category. I finished my treatments of AC chemo, Taxol, radiation, and am currently doing Herceptin (every three weeks) and daily Tamoxifen (for 3-5 years). The Tamoxifen is given to pre-menopausal women who are ER+/PR+ as it is an anti-estrogen treatment.For women who are post-menopausal, the option for anti-hormonal therapy is an aromatase inhibitor. I was diagnosed Dec '05 at age 46 and just reached my 1-year survival. Good luck in your decision-making!Take care.
Dear DCarolR: Treatment for breast cancer is based on many factors, including the size of the tumor, extent of the disease, Her2 status, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and others. Herceptin is used for tumors that are Her2 positive. Tamoxifen is given to premenopausal or postmenopausal women who are either estrogen or progesterone receptor positive. This drug reduces the risk of recurrence as well as the risk of a second primary breast cancer. While receiving chemotherapy, it is not uncommon for periods to stop in premenopausal women. This may be temporary or permanent. You and your husband may benefit from a discussion with your oncologist who can explain the purpose of the medications in your case and can address your concerns and side effects. Tamoxifen and Herceptin are commonly given together.