Updates from Lara

HER2-positive breast cancer: What is it?

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about one of every three breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer.

HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. They're also less responsive to hormone treatment. However, new treatments that specifically target HER2 are proving to be very effective:

Trastuzumab (Herceptin). Herceptin, which specifically targets HER2, kills these cancer cells and decreases the risk of recurrence. Herceptin is often used with chemotherapy. But it may also be used alone or in combination with hormone-blocking medications, such as an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen. A study published in 2005 found that Herceptin can reduce breast cancer recurrence by as much as 50 percent. Herceptin is usually well tolerated, but it does have some potential side effects, such as congestive heart failure and allergic reaction. This drug is also very expensive.

Lapatinib (Tykerb). Like Herceptin, Tykerb is a HER2-specific drug. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2007, Tykerb may be effective for HER2-positive breast cancer that doesn't respond to Herceptin.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I know you all need an update. So, I'm just going to copy and paste what I just wrote to a friend:

Regarding my decision, no doctor (not even my oncologist) thinks I should go without a mastectomy. The cancer I have (had?) is extremely aggressive and they don't want to miss one cell. There is no way to be 100% sure that all of the cancer is gone. Per my oncologist, if something were left, it could mutate and the drugs that work now may not work in the future. Since there aren't many drugs that I can use with the type of cancer I have this would be risky. What if Herceptin, which is extremely effective now, no longer worked for me? I'm really afraid of surgery and recovery so I was hoping for different news... ugh! I was so happy after the MRI and now I feel like I've been hit in the stomach. I'm going to Chapel Hill today and will have more docs telling me the same, I'm sure. I definitely hate cancer.

I'm sorry I didn't respond to calls yesterday... I just couldn't. My emotions have gotten the best of me. But, know that I appreciate all of the continued love and support! I really do. And, even though I'm down right now, I'll get through it.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you! =)