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Lgoak
Lgoak Member Posts: 1
edited August 2017 in Just Diagnosed

My mom is 68 and had a double mastectomy a year ago. She had a hysterectomy 20+ years ago. Why would a woman like this need HER2 treatment and Herceptin? She has been thru chemo, radiation and now back on chemo. Seems like ALOT of "preventive" treatment.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited August 2017

    Herceptin isn't chemo. It's a targeted therapy for breast cancer patients whose cancer tested positive for an overexpression of the HER2+ protein, which tells the cancer cells to replicate quickly. HER2+ cancer is very aggressive, and Herceptin has reduced both recurrence rates and mortality rates for women with this kind of breast cancer. It may seem like a lot of treatment, but there are plenty of studies which attest to its effectiveness.

    Best wishes for your Mom!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited August 2017

    A bit more infoWould be helpful for anyone to reply. What type BC, Stage, Grade, genetic testing, etc. Is she now experiencing a reoccurance or metastasis as you say she is back on chemo? Herceptin alone is not considered a 'chemo' but a 'targeted therapy' for those who are HER2+. It is usually run concurrently with whatever Chemo is ordered though it does continue after Chemo is usually over (as 'it' is for a year).

    A bit more info will get you better info from those who are HER2+.

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