Her2 positive
Hello I'm 40 and recently diagnosed with her2 positive. No family history of breast cancer. My sister and maternal cousin recently diagnosed with lobular cancer. They are having surgery. It's been a Whirlwind recently. The professionals say it's early, the treatment is going to be chemo , waiting for my medical oncologist appointment to find out how long etc. Surgery then hormone tablets. I'm struggling to understand why I need chemo first. If anyone had or has her2 I would be grateful to share your story. Thank you kindly.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) - Enhertu for HER2-low Metastatic Breast Cancer
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended the drug Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for people with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer (MBC) to be subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). We now call on the Australian Government to work with the pharmaceutical company to list Enhertu on the PBS as quickly as possible, to save people thousands of dollars. BCNA also urges AstraZeneca to reduce the cost of its Patient Access Program for Enhertu whilst we await PBS listing, to ensure as many people as possible can access this life-prolonging dug. Sarah (pictured), who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017 at the age of 41, has spent over $200,000 on Enhertu privately until she recently became eligible for the patient access program. “[Enhertu means that] my children will have a mum who loves them unconditionally – for longer. My husband will have a wife – the love of his life – for longer.” If you have any questions about Enhertu we encourage you to speak to your treating team. Read further details via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/media-releases/enhertu-recommended-for-pbs-subsidy-but-it-is-not-time-to-celebrate/
chemo or no with micro metastasis
Recent mastectomy with aesthetic closure, one mini slash micro metastasis in one lymph node, hormone positive at 90% and no chemo? Only a 2% chance of it adding anything to my 10 year rates? I keep reading everyone has chemo with lymph node involvement… just a wee bit concerned I’ve made the right choice? Thankyou.
Newly Diagnosed & Over Thinking it all!
I'm a 54 year old women of 3 gorgeous grown up sons living with my partner of 5 years & loving life after a few years of turbulence both personally & professionally. I am newly diagnosed with invasive NST, + for both ER & PgR apparently that's good, yesterday was a week after right boobie lumpectomy & 3 x axillary lymph nodes removed and results show its travelled to the lymph nodes so pet scan booked for next Tuesday. Its been a roller-coaster, which I know many of us have experienced and my positivity since surgery is now replaced with a sick to the core feeling of dread. Which is unusual for me as a normally face everything head on but this has got me. Radiotherapy has been mentioned and then yesterday chemo was mentioned for the first time as a most likely scenario not all results were back & the rest awaits me next Tuesday. My head space at the moment is like a magpie flitting from shiny wtf-ness to omg-ness!! The cherry on the top is I'm 2 months into a new career and on LWOP from a 34 year career wondering what my new employer who has been very supportive will wonder & yes I am over thinking it :)
Decisions on surgery
Hello Thank you for accepting me. I've just been diagnosed with ER+, PR+, HER2-. Absolutely devastated and am in shock. No signs, no symptoms, nothing on the breast on the mammogram - only 2 lymphs showed and were biopsied and confirmed, nothing on the breast MRI or PET, and only a slight shadow on the ultrasound. I've started taking an AI, and am now trying to work out the surgery options. Oncologist and surgeon just want to do a lumpectomy and take out the lymph nodes, then chemo (depending on the tests) and radiation. They both said that the was no real difference in the outcomes between lumpectomy and mastectomy. I'm thinking that I want a double mastectomy to really reduce the chance of a reoccurrence in the future. I also don't think I'm going to have the mental strength to go through this again - I'm really struggling at the moment. My questions are around how you made your decisions on the surgery options. Are there any resources that can help me - I've looked but just keep going down dark holes. Will a DMX really reduce the chances of the cancer returning? I'd be very grateful for any guidance, feedback or experience you have. Thank you!My Care - Understanding Access to Clinical Trials
Hi members, As we round out October breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCNA have highlighted key aspects of the optimal breast cancer care. The aim was to raise awareness in the community, the health sector and amongst the BCNA network about what optimal care means. The final key area relating to the theme of 'understanding my care' of the Optimal care pathways for people with breast cancer is: 'Access to Clinical Trials' Clinical trials are the foundation for improved cancer outcomes. They allow new treatments to be tested and can offer patients access to potentially more effective options than would otherwise be available to them. There are also clinical trials for different types of supportive care. Clinical trials won’t be suitable for everyone but treating specialists and multidisciplinary teams should discuss relevant clinical trials that may be available to you. This includes how these trials can be accessed, which is important for rural and regional patients who might live long distances for trial sites. It’s important to know that whether or not you are participating in a clinical trial, you will always be receiving the very best standard of treatment. You can refer to the articles in My Journey Clinical trials for early breast cancer Clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer Clinical trials and DCIS for more information regarding clinical trials. For further information regarding the optimal care pathway head to our website https://bit.ly/BCNA_BCAM_or call BCNA's Helpline on 1800 500 258 between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm AEST Monday to Friday
Skin Rash Side Effect with Exemestane (Aromasin) & Everolimus (Afinitor)
Hi All, I'm on week 5 with this treatment combo now. This last week I've broken out in a pretty bad skin rash, starts of red/pimply look and evolves into joining up into large red blotches. Its just horrible - I'm sure people will start thinking I've got Monkey Pox now! :o :D :( I've been to my GP on Onco Nurse's advice as my Once has been away with a family emergency. I've got every known pill and potion to conquer the rash/itchiness - antihistamine, steroid cream, Pentarsal, Chamomile lotion, moisturiser which seems to be managing it mostly. I know its a known side effect. Has anyone else had this side effect please? Does it persist for the whole treatment, or for only a little while and will then disappear in a good time/few weeks? How did you manage it? I did get mouth ulcers Weeks 2-4 (well managed with Dextamestane that I've now stopped), but they seem to have gone away for now anyway... Any help, guidance so very gratefully appreciated. Cheers
