Genentech programs
 

This past week I was privileged to be part of a webinar Genentech had for patient advocates,
I must say they are a company that is committed to PEOPLE.
I learned many things about their "Access to Care Foundation" and am so happy that I will now be able to share them with you all.
During the Q & A I never once heard that a patient would be denied access to a Genentech therapy and that they are working with many not for profit organizations to help with co-pays etc even for those with insurance,
In a nutshell, I am impressed!
Marcia

Re: Genentech programs
 

Soccermom--I just looked at your signature info

Did your mom also have her2+ breast cancer or was hers her2-?

The reason I ask is that there has been a paper about a possible hereditary her2+ breast cancer which is X-linked (ie the gene is located on the X chromosome) and relates to FoxP3 which is a gene associated with a type of immune cell (T regulatory cell).

Re: Genentech programs
 

Lani,
Mom was never checked for Her2 positivity. Her initial DX was in 1990, new primary in contralateral breast in '95 and mets 2000.
She was however ER/PR +.
Thanks for this information, I was unaware that there was any research as to a hereditary component for Her2.
Warmly,Marcia

Re: Genentech programs
 

Lani,
had a look at the problems associated w this mutation...funny thing is that I have spent the better part of the last 4 years trying to determine WHY I have so much joint,muscle pain.
Noa nswers form the Docs but another avenue to explore is this gene which is involved in autoimmune disease.( I was DXed in 1995 w CFS)
Mom was severely arthritic and had other " suspicious" disorders as well.
Thanks fr this new lead!

Re: Genentech programs
 

do you have any brothers? They presume as I understand it that 50% of any brothers (on average if you had gobs of them) might have died in utero or at an early age from IPEX syndrome, a severe disease of the immune system (ie, lacking parts of the immune system that are essential). Of course in any one family chances are it would never have come up or be noticed.

Are you also ER+PR+? As I recall from the article, the Xlinked her2+ familial bc was usually ER+PR+.

Re: Genentech programs
 

Yes, I am ER/PR + (90%)
I have three brothers eldest died from metastatic lung ca,middle brother haS CAD disease & pre-melanoma,youngest colon cancer suvivor and has had quadruple bypass...arent we a healthy family??? My youndest bro and I have both had Mononucleosis and I was dxed w Chronic Fatigue back in the mid '90s..