[Becky]

Hi

Your question is difficult to answer because normal protocol for Herceptin is 12 continuous months. Most oncs would NOT stop the Herceptin during surgery or rads (Herceptin has been shown to be synergistic with rads). That said, if you had 12 weeks of Herceptin and stopped, you would need the loading dose to resume and then continue for 40 weeks to make it a full 52 weeks.

Your new onc wants you to have one full sequential year (meaning 64 weeks - the 12 you had plus another yr). This regime, although unproven to be extra beneficial, would be entirely up to you (and if your insurance will pay for the extra).

For the record, I had 16 months of Herceptin instead of 12. There was only one reason for this. I did not have Herceptin during chemo because it wasn't available then. I started 4 months after chemo was completed. When I reached my year my onc said, "if your insurance will pay for 5 more triple doses, you will reach your 2 yr survivor mark (when the chance of recurrence is highest). Let's do it". This approach made sense to me. Unfortunately, hitting the 2 yr mark now that it is approved means 9 more months of Herceptin and that is not protocol.

Your new onc's approach is your call. Either method will be fine (52 weeks period or another full yr).