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Dogstar's avatar
Dogstar
Member
9 years ago

Pertuzumab for early breast cancer

Hi all

Since being diagnosed with HR-, HER+ early breast cancer in May, I've found this forum a great source of support and inspiration through some pretty dark times. This is my first post but feel like many of you are good friends already.

Cancer is awful for everyone, but the cherry on top of my particular shitty carcinoma cake is that I survived neuroblastoma in childhood, which had some pretty dire long term effects, now perhaps including breast cancer at the age of 44. It's also affecting the treatment available to me.

As I received the maximum adult dose of cyclophosphamide as a baby, the adjuvant chemo recommendation is the TH part of ACTH along with four doses of Perjeta (pertuzumab). I'm kind of relieved that I won't have to suffer the rigours of AC, but not having the optimal treatment is a concern. I was told, though, that this approach will give me the same long term prognosis.

Aside from shouldering the eye watering cost of Perjeta, has anyone else followed a regime like this? I'd be interested in your experiences and suggestions for getting through it.

Dogstar

4 Replies

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    All the best @Dogstar. I hope your oncologist works something out about the cost. x 
  • Fingers crossed she can sort out the finances for you. 
  • Hi @primek I think the recommendation against just having any element of AC was also about the risk of infection; due to severe kyphoscoliosis I only have 40% lung capacity so chest infection could be curtains. My oncologist consulted Prof Sherene Loi at Peter Mac about the approach, so pretty satisfied with the advice. My onc is a warrior and she's going to tussle with the drug company and my insurance company over the cost so hope to have more than half subsidised.
  • So they didn't consider just leaving out the cyclophosphamide? I know we can have it only once. Good that you have been considered for perjeta though, I am surprised you are paying for it considering you can't have the standard ACT-H chemo. Hope all goes well. I know of a lady who was only offered TH for her early her2+ bc. Although she was hormone + also. I don't know why she only had this as no previous chemo, but she was quite a bit older than me but in good health. I've often wondered hiw they choose what they choose but it's their specialty I guess. Kath x