HonCode

Go Back   HER2 Support Group Forums > her2group
Register Gallery FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-02-2008, 05:41 AM   #1
Joe
Webmaster
 
Joe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Home of the "Flying Tomato" Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 2,036
Images: 5
HER2 Serum Test

Dear HER2 Support Group Members:

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (formerly Bayer Diagnostics), manufactures the Serum HER-2/neu test. We would like to let you know of an opportunity to participate in their 2008 patient outreach and breast cancer education program. Siemens is looking for volunteers that have had a positive experience with the Serum HER-2/neu test and would be willing to share their story. If you would like to participate in the program, or need more information, please contact Connie Mardis at constance.mardis@siemens.com or 800-372-1782 ext 7009.

Thank you,

Joe Druther
__________________
A Proud webmaster to the internet's most informed, educated, COMPASSIONATE and caring group of breast cancer survivors.

Illegitimi non carborundum


My Album
Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2008, 07:22 AM   #2
schoolteacher
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
Smile Thank you

Joe,

I want to thank you for posting the information on the Serum HER-2/neu. I have been telling my oncologist about it for 3 weeks. He has ordered for the test to be performed. He said, "We would learn how to read the results together."

Amelia
schoolteacher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2008, 10:13 AM   #3
Joe
Webmaster
 
Joe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Home of the "Flying Tomato" Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 2,036
Images: 5
Amelia,

The results are easy to read, first establish a baseline, preferably early in the treatment. Subsequent tests will either show a decrease in circulating HER2 cells if your current treatment is working, an increase if your treatment is ineffective or no change if you are stable.

If the test measures below 15 ng/ml you are considered in remission, above, means cancer activity. The test should be administered about every 3-4 months.

For more info:

http://www.her2support.org/serum.htm

Regards
Joe
__________________
A Proud webmaster to the internet's most informed, educated, COMPASSIONATE and caring group of breast cancer survivors.

Illegitimi non carborundum


My Album
Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2008, 11:16 AM   #4
Soccermom
Senior Member
 
Soccermom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
Dear Joe ,
I have a question..
I am 2 years post Herceptin etc, would there be any benefit to me to test?
Warmly,Marcia
Soccermom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2008, 12:01 PM   #5
Julie2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 556
Joe,

I have been taking it since long time and it is so frustrating that the oncologists don't trust it and they get angry at the mention of it. Because of this it doesn't have any impact on decision making regarding the treatment. Even though it is reliable to me I can't do much about it.

Julie
__________________
Diagnosed in Sept 2004 while pregnant with the second child. Stage 3b, tumor 4.5cm, 4 auxillary and supraclav node positive. Her2+++ FISH 9.4 and er-,pr-.
Had dose dense neoadjuvant AC,Taxol then mastectomy,radiation+xeloda+Herceptin.
Julie2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2008, 01:58 PM   #6
Joe
Webmaster
 
Joe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Home of the "Flying Tomato" Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 2,036
Images: 5
Christine's oncologist has found the test to be reliable. This or any other test should not be solely relied on, but used in conjunction with other tests and observations.

More and more oncologists are using this test as various studies are published.

Regards
Joe
__________________
A Proud webmaster to the internet's most informed, educated, COMPASSIONATE and caring group of breast cancer survivors.

Illegitimi non carborundum


My Album
Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2008, 03:02 PM   #7
Mary Jo
Senior Member
 
Mary Jo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
Hi Joe,

I hope you can help me with my questions. I am presently a 2 year 9 month survivor - NED. My last herceptin treatment was Oct. 2006. Is the her2 serum test something I could still benefit from? Could I have it done to establish a baseline and get the test at my every 6 month onc. visit? Does the her2 serum test have anything to do with er/pr status as I am er/pr negative?

Thank you Joe. I see my onc. in June for my 6 month visit and will bring this up to him.

For all you and Christine do, a big thank you.

Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC
ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++
RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor
Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node
No Vasucular Invasion
4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin
1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks
28 rads
prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06

17 Years NED

<>< Romans 8:28
Mary Jo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright HER2 Support Group 2007 - 2021
free webpage hit counter