My sister had hormone positive breast cancer, had lumpectomy and radiation treatment. Nine years later she has been diagnosed with Herceptin positive breast cancer in the other breast, which is very aggressive and she will be on weekly chemo for at least twelve weeks, possibly to be followed with a double mastectomy. Is this common? Does anyone know of this?I also have had hormone positive breast cancer, with mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. A very aggressive cancer. Now I am worried about my sister's diagnosis and my chances of going down this same path. I am seeing my breast surgeon next week to ask her but thought I would ask also on this very helpful forum. Thanks.

I am so sorry to read this. I was only diagnosed last Dec so I am still so early on my journey. As much as this is such awful news, we must stay positive. My cancer was also aggressive hormone negative and her2+ but it is assuring to know we have Herceptin. My radio oncologist told me before Herceptin was available, Her2+ cancer is trouble. It's good she is in good hands and get onto treatment. I have planned to have right mastectomy next year once I finished my Herceptin treatment next Jan and fully recovered.I do know of a friend's college who had cancer in one breast. She had treatments. I think she wanted to keep the other breast. And then she had cancer in the other breast. And then somehow in the brain. I do not know the full story as I do not know her personally and my friend does not know in detail. I am not sure how things turned out that bad for her and what her medical team was doing in their follow up. Sadly she passed away recently. Please I do not want to scare you but it's in reply to your question. Her passing affected me a lot even though I did not know her. Her sister has also passed away from breast cancer. So far only the eldest sister is fine. She might have BC running in her family.My surgeon and radio oncologist says nothing is guaranteed but double mastectomy greatly reduce the chance by about 99%. I am definitely heading down that path to double mastectomy. Wishing you and your sister all the very best. xxx

Hi @jayjen, sorry to hear that your sister has been diagnosed for a second time, it's so unfair, and I can understand your own worries about facing the same situation down the track but hopefully you will be alright. I was diagnosed with both hormone positive and HER2 positive breast cancer in 2012 - I had 3 tumours, 2 invasive lobular that were hormone positive and a smaller but aggressive invasive ductal tumour that was HER2+. I had a mastectomy, chemo (6 cycles) and Herceptin (12 months), radiation and am now on hormone tablets. All is looking good (fingers crossed) as I head down the 5yr clear path.Thankfully HER2 tumours can generally be really successfully treated with Herceptin, which is offered alongside chemo and although the treatment goes for 12 months it is an easier regime than chemo. Having the chemo before surgery can be a really good way to see how well the treatment is working as they'll be able to track any reduction in the tumour size. It's hard to know whether any of us will face a recurrence so your breast surgeon is the best one to talk to about your particular situation as we are all so different on that front. Wishing both you and your sister all the best as you face this next challenge. Jane xx

Hi @jayjen, sorry to hear about your sister. My radiation oncologist told me our breasts are separate entities but because we have had breast cancer once we are at higher risk for other breast than the general population and the cancer can be a completely different one so it is not unusual for your sister to have an entirely different cancer & I am sure they have worked out the best plan for her.

Thanks so much for your responses. This site is very encouraging and gives us hope. It is always good to know that someone else is on the same trip with this wretched cancer. I will post again after I have seen my breast surgeon. It does show us though that we must be conscious to keep getting the medical tests available as well as self examination. In my case my cancer was large, 8cm x 2cm, but softish so I couldn't feel it. It grew between mammograms as did my sister's. Thanks again for your responses. Very grateful.

Hi there good advice from everyone. My tumour wasn't HER2 positive but one lymph node was, so treated as if all was including Herceptin and hormonal therapy. Getting close to the 5 year mark and well, so think positive! Best wishes.

Hormone Positive followed by Herceptin positive breast cancer.

12 Replies

Jane221
Member
9 years ago
Hi @jayjen, sorry to hear that your sister has been diagnosed for a second time, it's so unfair, and I can understand your own worries about facing the same situation down the track but hopefully you will be alright.

I was diagnosed with both hormone positive and HER2 positive breast cancer in 2012 - I had 3 tumours, 2 invasive lobular that were hormone positive and a smaller but aggressive invasive ductal tumour that was HER2+. I had a mastectomy, chemo (6 cycles) and Herceptin (12 months), radiation and am now on hormone tablets. All is looking good (fingers crossed) as I head down the 5yr clear path.

Thankfully HER2 tumours can generally be really successfully treated with Herceptin, which is offered alongside chemo and although the treatment goes for 12 months it is an easier regime than chemo. Having the chemo before surgery can be a really good way to see how well the treatment is working as they'll be able to track any reduction in the tumour size.

It's hard to know whether any of us will face a recurrence so your breast surgeon is the best one to talk to about your particular situation as we are all so different on that front. Wishing both you and your sister all the best as you face this next challenge. Jane xx
au0rei
Member
9 years ago
I am so sorry to read this. I was only diagnosed last Dec so I am still so early on my journey. As much as this is such awful news, we must stay positive. My cancer was also aggressive hormone negative and her2+ but it is assuring to know we have Herceptin. My radio oncologist told me before Herceptin was available, Her2+ cancer is trouble. It's good she is in good hands and get onto treatment. I have planned to have right mastectomy next year once I finished my Herceptin treatment next Jan and fully recovered.

I do know of a friend's college who had cancer in one breast. She had treatments. I think she wanted to keep the other breast. And then she had cancer in the other breast. And then somehow in the brain. I do not know the full story as I do not know her personally and my friend does not know in detail. I am not sure how things turned out that bad for her and what her medical team was doing in their follow up. Sadly she passed away recently. Please I do not want to scare you but it's in reply to your question. Her passing affected me a lot even though I did not know her. Her sister has also passed away from breast cancer. So far only the eldest sister is fine. She might have BC running in her family.

My surgeon and radio oncologist says nothing is guaranteed but double mastectomy greatly reduce the chance by about 99%. I am definitely heading down that path to double mastectomy.

Wishing you and your sister all the very best. xxx

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Hormone Positive followed by Herceptin positive breast cancer.

12 Replies

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