ER+ NPR+ HER2-

[lorimen]

I have recurrent breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy in 2008, no other treatment. It's back. What do
these positive & negative readings mean?

[zouzi]

Hi again,
Yes I know it's a bummer! but don't be discouraged.... the intensity of hot flashes accompanying treatment with tamoxifen eventually improves for many women after the first three to six months.All you have to do is just try it and hopefully you'll be able to tolerate it..My sister was on this drug and she really did not feel so bad .
I have added a site that you may find helpful .There are many things you could do to help minimize the symptoms.
Please note that any herbal supplement or medication containing estrogen should be AVOIDED.If you are considering taking any kind of remedies you should discuss it first with your Oncologist.

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/menopausal/facing/hot_flashes.jsp

All the best...

[lorimen]

Bummer!!!! It will make me crazy!

[zouzi]

You welcome!.
Unfortunately these anti hormone treatments make hot flashes worse!
If the symptoms become intolerable,you could ask your Oncologist to prescribe a different drug that might be better for you.
The important thing is to try the medicine recommended and see how it goes.
Take care...

[lorimen]

Thank you for the reply....I wonder, I've been going through menopause for about 15 years, still get hot flashes....will the anti-estrogen therapy get rid of them, or make them worse?

[zouzi]

Hi,
I am so sorry that you have a breast cancer recurrence :(
If this new cancer is a local recurrence or a second cancer, it can often be treated similarly to the original cancer, with surgery,radiation , chemotherapy ( if recommended by you Oncologist) and hormonal therapy.
In general, if a person's cancer is ER/PR positive,the patient will have a better than average prognosis, and their cancer is likely to respond to endocrine therapy (anti-hormone treatments)such as Tamoxifen if premenopausal or Arimidex/Femara if postmenopausal.These drugs shut down the body's ability to make estrogen which is a hormone that  fuels many breast cancer tumors.
HER2 negative,means that HER2 protein is not causing the cancer and this is better than having HER2 positive which will require Herceptin treatment.
Recurring breast cancer is easily treatable for most patients who can live fulfilling lives due to advances made in breast cancer treatments.
I sincerely hope that you'll beat cancer again and that all your treatments will be successful and be completely cured.
Wishing you all the best and good luck!