Her2

Hi again primek - yes I am very focused on the brilliant results of herceptin that's why I'm keen to start it and why I'm very disappointed my surgeon didn't suggest neoadjuvant.  I would have been a candidate for this and gotten herceptin earlier. I'm keen for any research that decreases the risk of recurrence. The addition of neratinib to existing protocols for early early breast cancer is one outcome of such research. I simply want to be able to ask the right questions of my oncologist with a view to decreasing the odds of recurrence especially as I was node positive. I am just so grateful to live in a time and place where treatment is available and affordable. My journey is a walk in the park compared to others I know. But that doesn't mean I should not ensure I am on top of the latest research - I think the protocol I'm on has been around for 10 years perhaps a little less. I  am also encouraged by and thankful for the research into metastatic breast cancer, we live in amazing times. So yes, like primek and no doubt many of you I'm focused on being able to have the brilliant herceptin. However I still need to research given my experience with specialists so far. Please do not think I am pointing fingers I just do not believe they have the time to keep up with the latest research. In fact mine are incredibly caring, skilled and knowledgable and I like them very much. Perhaps you could call me a control freak.

There are so many trials continuing out there to improve treatment outcomes. But at this stage the current treatment has really good results so keep focussing on that. I think a lot is looking at metstatic disease now for better management as there are many women diagnosed stage 4 at diagnosis so we need to improve that longevity. 

Hi again primek - just read in the presentation that majority of people followed on Hera trial were node positive,  tumours >2cms and equal splits with er and or pr positive. They also quoted age but only remember upper level at <58 or perhaps 59. I'll do more research before posting links again. I would never want to spread doom and gloom, I thought it was good that research is ongoing to help when herceptin does not work on its own. 

So do I. Those stats seem to be the same as no treatment other than surgery for Her2. It also doesn't include grade, size, stage etc. So it spreads more gloom than hope. I was given 87% chance of cancer free 10 years with treatment (much much less without)...so I'm hanging on those stats. 

Hi everyone - primer is right to question the information in the link. The presentation was made by puma biotechnics? who are I think the makers of neratinib. They quote the Hera trials which looked at impact of herceptin on women who had undergone neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Not sure if the herceptin was given after this or during. I am new to all of this and only up to lumpectomy axillary dissection and four a/c chemos. Start paclitaxl? And herceptin on 6 April. I do hope you are right primek and stats are better than those presented in the presentation. I am trying to be more informed as my breast surgeon did not mention neoadjuvant back in November and I just want herceptin to get to work as soon as possible. Hugs to all 

Sorry @Lmc1310
I went to bed just after your post showed with no link showing.... It is working now :) thank you for sharing this.

Well lets hope the research is out there. Although the stats seem different than the research I've read. It didn't mention chemotherapy also being used as well as herceptin so I guess it is only looking at the current targeted therapy. With chemotherapy and herceptin the 10 year cancer free rate is much higher than they suggest on the link. 

@Lmc1310 The link is working ok for me as well.

Hi @Lmc1310, the link is working for me. Hopefully the research being done to block recurrent tumour growth will be successful as I know this plays on my mind often  :(

I have a link when I open the post - I haven't added a link before so not sure if I added it correctly. Could you check again soldiercrab and let me know if it still is working - thanks