Her2 positive for dummies - can someone explain in easy to understand terms?

[skoolmom]

I have had lots of people ask me what exactly Her2 is and what the positive is and what does Herceptin do to it. I really stumble when I try to explain it other than it's an aggressive cancer that's overproducing. I know that ER/PR is an estrogen driven cancer but mine is negative, and it's the Her2 that drives my cancer I guess? Hopefully someone can explain it in Her2 for dummies terms! I feel so dumb not knowing it exactly for myself! Thanks for all your help!

[Barbara H.]

There are places in this forum that explain it. When I explain it to someone who has no idea what I am talking about, I say that HER2 cancers have a certain type of gene with a receptor. Herceptin has the abilty to bine to these receptors and deactivate them. The cancer therefore has difficulty growing. I use a model of two legos binding together. The lego model usually helps them understand it somewhat. I also explain that Herceptin is an antibody and not a chemo. It only targets these specific receptors and does not harm other cells that quickly divide.
Good luck,
Barbara H.

[pel50]

Skoolmom
When my onc presented the HER2 story to me he was very encouraging because even though the HER2 tumor is very aggressive, Herceptin raises the success rate by, I think around 54%. He told me I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be able to utliize Herceptin because of this high suscess rate.
His nurse then gave me a brochure that explained abd simplified how Herceptin works.
The brochure refers to a website at www.herceptin.com (http://www.herceptin.com/) that gives an even fuller explaination and is illustrated for easy understanding and may be helpful. Check it out along with the information on this support site, also.

Regards,