Newly diagnosed
I'm 39 from Hervey Bay QLD I have just been diagnosed with Invasive Breast Cancer HER2 positive and ER positive. Looks like I've caught it early. My first appointment with surgeons is in 2 weeks. I ha...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Aliesha I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis ❤️
I’m HER2+, oestrogen + and progesterone + like @Suki
Even though you’re not positive for Progesterone you might find the Triple Positive discussion group helpful because we all have HER2+ in common.
Sending you lots of positive energy ❤️🌸🌻
This early phase you’re in is excruciating - where you know you’re needing treatment but are awaiting details of the specifics of that likely treatment.
I’m HER2+, oestrogen + and progesterone + like @Suki
Even though you’re not positive for Progesterone you might find the Triple Positive discussion group helpful because we all have HER2+ in common.
Sending you lots of positive energy ❤️🌸🌻
This early phase you’re in is excruciating - where you know you’re needing treatment but are awaiting details of the specifics of that likely treatment.
In my case I didn’t realise my surgeon would be asking for more detailed diagnostic tests and scans, after the initial diagnosis by ultrasound.
Later I realised my surgeon needed these results to inform their recommendations about my treatment plan.
But it is nonetheless a time of tremendous uncertainty and, understandably, your recent rough ride medically would be weighing on your mind.
It is a lot to take in, a lot of new information. I didn’t appreciate just how many permutations and combinations there are with breast cancer.
Later I realised my surgeon needed these results to inform their recommendations about my treatment plan.
But it is nonetheless a time of tremendous uncertainty and, understandably, your recent rough ride medically would be weighing on your mind.
It is a lot to take in, a lot of new information. I didn’t appreciate just how many permutations and combinations there are with breast cancer.
The upside is that our treatments are founded on people who’ve given incredible feedback about their responses in the past and now each person’s treatment is really tailored to the characteristics of their specific breast cancer type and it factors in other medical conditions.
If it helps to give you an "idea", here below is a summary of how I was recently treated for HER2+ early stage breast cancer; but do bear in mind your surgeon might recommend something different (eg some people have surgery first, some people have a mastectomy instead of lumpectomy, some people do not have chemotherapy, or radiation).
In my case I had a 38 mm lump, no nodes were thought to be involved. So after a battalion of diagnostic scans, biopsies and tests I was recommended 6 doses of a chemotherapy/ immunotherapy combination to shrink the tumour, before having lumpectomy surgery.
I started this in February 2023: each dose was given 3 weeks apart by intravenous drip in the day ward at my hospital.
After a lumpectomy in August 2023 and a short break to rest, I had radiation therapy in October 2024 - short bursts every business day for three weeks.
From what I can gather the next phase for HER2+ folks is decided by the pathology taken during surgery - but most HER2+ people would have up to another 11 doses of immunotherapy (and sometimes - as in my case - chemotherapy is added to it)
I finished that treatment last April 2024.
Before I finished it, in February (2024), attention turned to my Oestrogen positive attributes and I was started on an oestrogen suppressing tablet (called an aromatase inhibitor) which I continue to take daily for the next 5 years.
In my case I had a 38 mm lump, no nodes were thought to be involved. So after a battalion of diagnostic scans, biopsies and tests I was recommended 6 doses of a chemotherapy/ immunotherapy combination to shrink the tumour, before having lumpectomy surgery.
I started this in February 2023: each dose was given 3 weeks apart by intravenous drip in the day ward at my hospital.
After a lumpectomy in August 2023 and a short break to rest, I had radiation therapy in October 2024 - short bursts every business day for three weeks.
From what I can gather the next phase for HER2+ folks is decided by the pathology taken during surgery - but most HER2+ people would have up to another 11 doses of immunotherapy (and sometimes - as in my case - chemotherapy is added to it)
I finished that treatment last April 2024.
Before I finished it, in February (2024), attention turned to my Oestrogen positive attributes and I was started on an oestrogen suppressing tablet (called an aromatase inhibitor) which I continue to take daily for the next 5 years.
@@arpie has set out some great tips and links for you to read up about whilst you prepare for your consultation.
I am so glad you have a McGrath Foundation nurse.
Unfortunately my nurse was not familiar with HER2+ specific drugs and treatments - I think this might have been because HER2+ is less common than hormone (Oestrogen or Progesterone or both) positive breast cancer. She was however very good at coordinating and checking in.
Once I was on my treatment plan the nurses who were on the oncology day centre ward became more prominent in supporting my oncologist and my care.
I am sorry for this long read but hopefully it gives you a picture of how treatment "might" look -depending on your circumstances @Aliesha
I am conscious that the BCNA network has many people who have stood in our shoes and a lot of calm wisdom so it's great you have raised your question. 🌸🌻in solidarity
I am so glad you have a McGrath Foundation nurse.
Unfortunately my nurse was not familiar with HER2+ specific drugs and treatments - I think this might have been because HER2+ is less common than hormone (Oestrogen or Progesterone or both) positive breast cancer. She was however very good at coordinating and checking in.
Once I was on my treatment plan the nurses who were on the oncology day centre ward became more prominent in supporting my oncologist and my care.
I am sorry for this long read but hopefully it gives you a picture of how treatment "might" look -depending on your circumstances @Aliesha
I am conscious that the BCNA network has many people who have stood in our shoes and a lot of calm wisdom so it's great you have raised your question. 🌸🌻in solidarity