Stage 1 means what, exactly?
 

I thought Stage 1, negative nodes was a good thing.

But I guess when one has her2 positive it doesn't mean much, right?

I have no vascular invasion. I had a 2 cm tumor, IDC on the right breast. I've had bilateral mastectomies. I am weakly ER positive.

Anyone else out there like me? What are my chances of no recurrence? I'm feeling great and have not begun chemo yet - am afraid to start because it looks like Herceptin doesn't have a long track record and I don't like being a guinea pig......

Would love to hear from others who have my same diagnosis. Thanks,

Diannes

Dx: IDC right breast, Aug 08, 2 cm tumor, grade 3, her2 positive, weakly ER positive, don't know about PR. Bilateral mastectomies Sept. 9 08, 8 negative lymph nodes, no vascular invasion. Stage 1.

I have somewhat similar stats. I was diagnosed as a late Stage 1 (or stage I(c) ) but I had vascular invasion. I, too, had a double mastectomy. I then had 6 months of chemo. See below for my treatment history and stats. Herceptin has been around for about 10 years but it has only been used in early stage HER2 positive cancers since 2006. I think the drug has a good safetly profile. You do need to monitor your heart while you're taking it. I found it very easy to tolerate. I don't think you should feel like a guinea pig due to taking Herceptin. There are girls on this board who were the true guinea pigs as they started taking it 10 years ago....and there still here to tell their story. Check out the Lifetime movie on October 18 called "Living Proof". It is about the making and marketing of Herceptin.