HER2+, Herceptin users outside of North America

Albertan

Hi tolks. 

I had DCIS with micro-invasions - so had a mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy.  Margins are clear and nodes were clear.  So as far as I know, I am clear of cancer right now. 

Pathology showed HER2+ however, so I"m being recommended chemo (don't know what type yet) and herceptin.  Evidently, in Canada I don't have a choice about the chemo - I have to get it with herceptin.  But I've read here that some women in the U.S. are getting herceptin by itself. 

So what about internationally?  What's your protocol?  If you get herceptin do you have to get chemo where you are?

Thanks

35_smiling

Albertan ~ I live in Bermuda and they do provide Taxol and Herceptin here. I am sure they peovide other chemo's as well with it.

AlaskaAngel

Hi Neighbor!

I was diagnosed before the completion of the trastuzumab trials and was unaware of them, and my onc (major NW Seattle onc) did not mention it. So I never received trastuzumab but did receive CAFx6, followed by rads and some tamoxifen.

But in the period of amazement at the success of the initial results of the trial, before US FDA approval of the use of it WITH chemo, oncs and patients were more able to use trastuzumab alone, so there are those who did get trastuzumab without chemo in the US at that time.

To some degree, insurance companies go by what the FDA does, so after approval, patients who could not afford to pay for it on their own were then forced to do the chemo in addition.

There are oncs and patients in the US who are willing to use trastuzumab alone, especially for patients with other health conditions or who are elderly, and insurance companies are sometimes more flexible for that too. There are also oncs and patients in the US who have an open mind about not using chemo but using trastuzumab for very early stage bc. One may have to get several opinions to find the ones that are willing.

A.A.