should i take herceptin or not

[hollygolity]

MY CANCER DR CALLED ME LAST WEEK TO TELL ME THAT I COULD TAKE HERCEPTIN, SHE DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT IT WHEN I FIRST STARTED CHEMO IN MARCH OF 06 SHE SAID TRERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFO THEN. SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS WITH THE HEART. SHE ALSO SAID SOME WOMEN CHOOSE TO DO IT WHILE OTHERS DO NOT. MY LUMP WAS 1.5 AND NO CANCER IN THE LYMPHNODES BUT I HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE CANCER.I THINK HR 2 POSITIVE. SHE DID NOT TELL ME TO TAKE THE DRUG OR NOT TO TAKE IT, IT IS UP TO ME. I LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY MANY SIDE EFFECTS BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU WOULD GET THEM ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY WOMEN SURVIVED WITH THE CANCER I HAVE BEFORE THIS DRUG WAS EVEN KNOW ABOUT. I AM LEANING TOWARDS  NOT TAKING THIS DRUG BUT I NEED MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU

[Avidhiker]

Herceptin was originally indicated only for node positive HER2 overexpressing breast cancers.  Now, node negative women can also derive additioanl benefit.  As you know, there is a small but serious increase in the risk of developing weakening of the heart muscle (2 or 3 out of every 100 women developed problems).  Certainly, if you are already at risk for any cardiac problems, Herceptin is not for you.  It is a tough decision to make regarding the balance of the small risk of heart failure against the increased risk of dying from breast cancer.

My tumor was 2.4, node negative, but my HER2 was overexpressed.  I am starting with Herceptin next week, weekly for at least 6 months, maybe a year.  I will continue (as I did with the chemo drug Adriamycin) to go for periodic MUGA scans of the heart to see how the left ventricle is pumping.  So far, my heart has been unaffected.

All the things that I have read have statistics of course.  Everywhere it is stated that Herceptin can reduce the risk of recurrence by about 52%, which sounds good to me.

My view is that you do everything you can not to have a cancer recurrence.  I don't want to have to repeat this ever again.

Good luck!

[Avidhiker]

Just thought you would like to know that I had my first Herceptin infusion on Tuesday. All went well.  My oncologist couldn't emphasize enough the remarkable benefit it provides in reducing risk of recurrence in women whose tumors overexpress HER2.  My protocol is for weekly infusions for 6 months.  I will have a MUGA scan in three months and then another after completion.  So far, so good for me.

Be your own advocate.  Research as much as you can to make your decision.