Triple Positive in our 20s and 30s

Hi!

I'm a middle-aged triple positive (46 at diagnosis, now 47). You might have more luck on the general triple positive thread, which is pretty active. Good luck!

I am 38, so a little older, but my doctor tells me my risk of recurrence is less than 5%. Everything I have heard from him (and other people who treat breast cancer) is that with the new targeted therapies (Herceptin, Perjeta, etc.), her2 positivity is a good thing. Those drugs have been a game changer. Google is really scary for Her2+, I know, but stay off it! Most of the stats you see there are old. The longer we have Herceptin, the better they're finding the results to be.

I'm 30 years old and was diagnosed with triple positive IDC in June. My genetic testing for breast cancer is negative.  I am going through chemo first and then double mastectomy and reconstruction. I will stay on Herceptin for a full year. Hormonal therapy for 10 yrs. My oncologist ordered the following diagnostics to help with staging: CT of thorax, abdomen and pelvis; brain MRI; breast MRI, and bone scan.  Some of these tests were chosen due to my medical history of previous adrenal cancer. My understanding is that her2 + is more aggressive and more likely to return, but prognosis has greatly improved with drugs like herceptin and perjeta. And double mastectomy decreases chance of recurrence. I think that we are looking good for the long run if there is still no sign of cancer 5 yrs out. I would also like to hear from other young women with breast cancer.  I often feel uninformed. I don't know what to expect in the long run. I'm only on my second chemo treatment out of six. Surgery to take place afterward. 

Anyway I have to do multiple posts my phone gets locked up when I do long ones on here I will finish chemo tomorrow whoopee it hasn't been easy side effects are manageable but I was in hospital twice first time neutropenia neulesta takes care of that 2 time my stupid port got infected and I turned septic still recovering from that with Iv antibiotics I do at home 3 times a day with 2 kids at home ugh do you have children? Anyways my advise get the neulesta shot my wbc dropped to 0.7 without it and ask for a bag of fluids the next day helps a lot

Stephmoen-

I do not have kids. I can't imagine going through chemo and still having other people depending on you daily. It must be tough! I am glad to hear that your chemo is about over. My oncologist has said that I will be on both oral and injectable medications to suppress my ovaries, but I am not having them removed because my genetic testing was normal. I have only spoken with one other young person getting both medications and she said that hot flashes were pretty much the only negative side effect that she noticed. Will you or have you had surgery yet? What did your doctor say about radiation? The consensus among Drs I've spoken with is that I should not have radiation with my treatment. I think they felt that I may be at higher risk of developing a cancer from receiving radiation. I am having a double mastectomy after chemo. I am really anxious about it. I just feel like I have no idea what expectations to have.

the reason I want an oopherectomy is because the soft trials have proven to be better for premenapasual women I am going to do everything in my will power to stay here being I have an aggressive cancer in young and I just had a baby puts me in a scary group. I don't see myself going for shots I'm just gonna go all for it and deal with the side effects as they come I've dealt with so much already I'm sure I will be fine as long as I see my babies grow up

Hi everyone. Just noticed this thread, and I'm triple +, 29 years old. Just finished up with chemo (AC + Taxol). Starting radiation in a little more than a week, and will continue Herceptin and Perjeta for a year. I did not receive any treatment before surgery. Has anyone experienced any hair loss with Perjeta, or problems w/ growing back hair while on Perjeta (when not administered w/ regular chemo)?

I also plan on doing ovarian suppression plus an AI. From what I understand, there's not a huge difference in Tamoxifen vs AI in Her2+ patients. Just going to try the AI and see how I fare on it.

yes the only thing that worried me is bone density I am contemplating the Lupron shod to begin for a little bit of it's going well I'm going all the way I want what will keep this away for good

I am the one pushing for perjeta all year I have seen other women on the trip pod site and tchp site so j thought why not try my mo thinks if will be an overkill but I don't care rather do more than less we are hoping for pcR since my tumor has shrunk so much best thing to do is fake one step at a time I am finally doing research on surgery now that I'm done with chemo

MY onc said they are now figuring out that estrogen is storing in womens fat thats why even after they get ovaries removed it still.comes back.  I am tired of hearing people say how lucky we are to be her 2 positive.... Why? Because we get a medication for it? My onc sat me down when I was diagnosed.for 3 hours and told me everything I jad against me Age,her2,small size of tumor and fact it had already spread to my lymph nodes. He said my cancer had only been growing in me for 8 months as opposed to the 8-10 years we hear. I think they keep  telling everyone how lucky they are to be her 2 positive because they want us to believe it will work and I do. But they dont know yet. If im being harsh im sorry but im in this boat too and im scared and my onc s wife had breast cancer he is a straight shooter. 

OH dont get me wrong by far tripple neg is the worst but us having her 2 which is a cancer accelerator and without it we would all around be better off.  Why do these Dr.s tell us all different things? Mine even changed treatment plan.based on new study that came out about estrogen being found in fat. Im so lost....

I plan on doing oopherectomy with al because of the soft studies does your no believe in those studies?

I feel torn about it all too...it's like you absolutely know Her2+ is more aggressive and a far worse prognosis, but the docs keep saying being triple + is almost better now since there's medicine to target all three receptors. Some days I want to believe them, and others I think that they're just trying to be as positive as they can, and want to believe we will be ok.

None of my docs have recommended removing ovaries or tubes. I've asked several times, and they all have said no. I think that's why they recommend Tamoxifen for ten years now (w/o ovary removal) because your chance of recurrence falls after the 10th year, and Tamoxifen will suppress the estrogen. I don't know what to think...I feel like it's all just a mess.

miso girl I'm on the same boat as you I am 30 wih a 5 and 1 year old Finished up tchp a little over a week ago (feels so good to say that) met with my surgeon I am scheduled for a double mastectomy sept 21 I decided right away I wanted one the few added percentage points for lower reoccurance convinced me plus to be honest I am not attached to my boobs at all 2 kids really screwed them up! It's a big surgery.