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Becky · 09-02-2008, 05:00 PM

Tamoxifen while on Herceptin is still an excellent choice as you are blocking the hormone pathway and the Her2 pathway.

You are highly hormone positive and that's also a big plus (regardless of Her2 status). Although the general studies show AIs to be superior to Tamoxifen, the Tamoxifen and Herceptin combo is a good one. This will give you time to explore chemical shutdown of the ovaries (with Lupron or Zoladex) or an ooph if you want to switch to an AI. You have time to research (on the web and on this site) and also see what ASCO breast conference (coming up this weekend) and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (mid Dec) might present on in terms of new data in this area.

I will make a side comment that estrogen can be a powerful fuel for cancer but your current combo is fine. The decision lies when May rolls around and Herceptin therapy is done. Discuss, discuss, discuss with your onc. He may know researchers in this area to consult on your behalf. Remember, many of us Her2+ are not highly hormone positive which is why Tamoxifen does not work well for Her2's . For example, I am low/moderate ER+ but PR negative - probably a clearer picture of someone that Tamoxifen may not work for so I got an ooph 3 years ago (but I was almost 47 then and nearing a more natural menopausal age too - yet I got my period back 7 months after chemo - go figure).

Keep asking questions to your onc, here on this board and to anyone who will listen for opinions. Even get an opinion from another onc in another practice.

Hugs to you

09-02-2008, 05:00 PM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Tamoxifen while on Herceptin is still an excellent choice as you are blocking the hormone pathway and the Her2 pathway. You are highly hormone positive and that's also a big plus (regardless of Her2 status). Although the general studies show AIs to be superior to Tamoxifen, the Tamoxifen and Herceptin combo is a good one. This will give you time to explore chemical shutdown of the ovaries (with Lupron or Zoladex) or an ooph if you want to switch to an AI. You have time to research (on the web and on this site) and also see what ASCO breast conference (coming up this weekend) and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (mid Dec) might present on in terms of new data in this area. I will make a side comment that estrogen can be a powerful fuel for cancer but your current combo is fine. The decision lies when May rolls around and Herceptin therapy is done. Discuss, discuss, discuss with your onc. He may know researchers in this area to consult on your behalf. Remember, many of us Her2+ are not highly hormone positive which is why Tamoxifen does not work well for Her2's . For example, I am low/moderate ER+ but PR negative - probably a clearer picture of someone that Tamoxifen may not work for so I got an ooph 3 years ago (but I was almost 47 then and nearing a more natural menopausal age too - yet I got my period back 7 months after chemo - go figure). Keep asking questions to your onc, here on this board and to anyone who will listen for opinions. Even get an opinion from another onc in another practice. Hugs to you __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"