Being HER2+

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nora_az
nora_az Member Posts: 720
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I am 47. I still have my period.

When I found out I had breast cancer I thought I was a normal age to get breast cancer. The Surgeon told me the normal age is around 65 and that I was no where near the average age. He told me I was young. This sort of surprised me.

I was also told not to look too much at breast cancer stats and such because anything over 6 months old is old news and so I haven't delved too much in HER2 other than what I am finding out is that it mainly affects the younger breast cancer patients.

I have yet to find out why?  Is it still unknown?   Sorry if my question sounds so simple but it is baffling to me and I want answers.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited December 2010

    Nora - I'm 58 (57 when diagnosed). HER2 doesn't affect mainly younger patients, there are lots of girls on here who are older. Hey, my onc said I was young too - that was nice.

    Being HER2+ve is not nice but good in that we have Herceptin now. Triple negative would be much worse. Being triple positive is great as there are drugs to target it. Hormone treatment will fight the ER and PR readings also.

    Sue

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  • blondie45
    blondie45 Member Posts: 580
    edited December 2010

    Last year when I was diagnosed there were 5+ other women in my area that also were diagnosed all with HER2+ and all under 50 years old. I believe it does not discriminate based on age.

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  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 362
    edited December 2010

    I was forty six when diagnosed highly triple positive, the prognosis for her2+ pre herceptin was very bleak as it's seen a a more aggressive cancer type that grows and spreads quickly.

    However, the stats on this have changed dramatically since herceptin and I know many people like myself who had herceptin for early stage bc five years ago (just as it was approved) that are still doing well as I am:)

    I consider myself now to be glad I'm her2+, as it seems all the money and research is going into our type of cancer, and it's definatly the sexy one to have:)

     Your onc is correct though as most of the stats online give the old data as the new results won't be through for some time, we're writing the new chapter of herceptin!

    Tricia x

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited December 2010

    I'm 49 HER2+++ You doc is correct. When I first found out and started researching HER2+ I thought it was the end. So much of the info is old. Finally came to understand Herceptin and how it has dramatically changed for us gals. Sorry you have to join us but you are not alone.

    Yes under 60, pre or peri menopausal is not the usual age to get breast cancer although we seem to be seeing more and more of us these days.

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  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 720
    edited August 2013

    Thank you everyone for your responses. I thought I had been dealing with everything very well but the past week I've been thinking too much. Thinking seems to get me into trouble   :)

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