Understanding HER/neu results

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everdream
everdream Member Posts: 10
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Good morning to you all

I'so sorry for having to ask so many questions these days regarding my new dx.

I am thinking over and over again about my her+. I have read that those who are her+ are considered negative for HER and that those with ++ and +++ are the positive ones. Does anyone got any info about this? i read my biopsy report by chance and it seems i'm among the first ones.

Hope anybody could help ne with this. This waiting kills me.

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  • RebzAmy
    RebzAmy Member Posts: 322
    edited June 2013

    Hi Everdream

    I was HER2+ which means I tested positive for HER2 so had the drug called Herceptin. Sometimes I think people add +++ if their HER2 status is very strong because you can be weakly positive for HER2 as well.  If you are HER2- it means you don't test positive for HER2 and you don't need the drug Herceptin. 

    Hope this helps.

    RebzAmy

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  • everdream
    everdream Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2013

    Many thanks rebzamy,

    I would like to know that if there are any chances being weakly positive to HER to avoid chemo. I saw mine was "only" +...so that's why i wonder

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  • RebzAmy
    RebzAmy Member Posts: 322
    edited June 2013

    Some people have chemo and some don't.  If you're HER2+ you're likely to have it but it also depends upon various other factors such as size of tumour, stage, grade, whether lymph nodes are involved or if there is vascular invasion.  Also unless things have changed, you can't have Herceptin without having chemo because chemo is supposed to make it more effective.

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