Early stage and recurrence ??
 

Hi All,

As I move along in my treatment and start to feel more and more at ease with this disease I also start to feel more confused on some studies. I have read in numerous places that women with early stage Her2+ breast cancer have a much higher rate of recurrence. Does anyone know why that is? It seems so odd, since we always hear that finding cancer early is very important and you would think that if it hasn't spread the rate would be even better. But that doesn't seem to be the case. Is it because many doctors in the past would not treat early stage Her2+ cancer like they do now. With chemo and Herceptin? Or is there another reason that someone can help explain to me. As you can see below, I am young and my cancer was caught at an early stage so you can see why I am so interested in this.

Thank you!

Re: Early stage and recurrence ??
 

Well - you kinda have some answers. It depends on what the statistics are based on and what the treatment for each subgroup was. For example, when comparing Stage I people - were they all treated with chemo and those that were Her2+ also treated with Herceptin too? Or, was there a wide variety of treatments, some chemo, some chemo with Herceptin, some just masectomy or lumpectomy with radiation.

Herceptin changed the statistics enormously. They used to be worse stage by stage when comparing to those who are just (highly) hormone positive only. Triple negative stats are also poorer. Herceptin with chemo is almost better than just chemo for highly positive only patients. So... if you look up statistics, you do need to know what the treatment was to make good comparisons. You did it all and your outcome should be excellent!!!

Re: Early stage and recurrence ??
 

becky's right. I was early and had a recurrence but I was diagnosed in 1999 and Herceptin was only given to a few metatastic women back then. I also had no chemo or radiation.
Herceptin changed everything. people with bc are now better off if they are HER2+!!!! amazing, isn't it,
If I'd been given Herceptin, I would not have had a recurrence,
You're very new and young to this disease, that makes it very scary, Talk to your onc and nurses, I;m sure they will tell you that you're going to live a normal life and die of something completely different, I hope you can believe this soon so you can free yourself from the anxiety.
it's too bad they don't make the stats from a certain date on and also as Becky said, give the full picture, it's very misleading and upsets patients needlessly,
Enjoy you boys, enjoy life,
hugs sarah

Re: Early stage and recurrence ??
 

Thank you both! I have my days where it all comes flooding and fear and anxiety take over. Then I have other days where I am at piece with all that has happened. Its certainly a roller coaster ride. My Faith, friends, family and certainly all on this site keep my spirits high and remind me that all will be ok. Trusting in the Lord!!
I was in tears reading your replies as you are right Sarah, enjoying my boys, my family and my life is the best thing I can do.

Thank you again!!!!

Re: Early stage and recurrence ??
 

When I first heard I was Her2+, of course, I ran home and googled it....and cried for days! Then the scientific part of my brain kicked in and I went back and looked at some studies and the actual date of them - most of which were at least 10-15 years old! My assumption at that point, was that I was looking at outdated stats, prior to Herceptin, and definitely prior to Perjetta pre-surgery.

My friend that went through this 6 months ago, told me "we have the worst type of cancer with the best treatment for it"!

Re: Early stage and recurrence ??
 

I was in early stage when first diagnosed in 2003. Herceptin was not approved yet and I was given FEC after a lumpectomy.

I ended up with a recurrence that was not found for 4 years because everyone thought the shadow on the film was scar tissue! Finally I went to the original surgeon and insisted on a double mastectomy (totally lost confidence ... ) after the recurrence was confirmed (stage IIb). Herceptin was approved then, but my heart couldn't take it and ended up having just 22 weeks (including the 18 weeks of TCH) of treatment.

I will be celebrating 11 years in July from the initial BC diagnosis and 7 years from the recurrence in June.

Re: Early stage and recurrence ??
 

Glad you're enjoying your boys. the treatments are getting better and better every year. We are so lucky we are living now and not 20 years ago.
take care
love sarah