HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - NY Times article on stage IVs with stats and singling out her2+ breast

Joan M · 01-19-2011, 08:54 AM

I read the article yesterday and felt the primary points were that more advocacy and research are needed to prolong the lives of women with stage 4 breast cancer, as we are often overshadowed by research for early stage breast cancer (which I had initially). That's why Metastatic Breast Cancer Day on October 13 each year, now a federally recognized day, was an important move forward for us women with metastatic disease. I've been stage 4 since January 2007. We need to keep promoting research for all breast cancer patients.

Joan

01-19-2011, 08:54 AM	#14
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: NY Times article on stage IVs with stats and singling out her2+ breast I read the article yesterday and felt the primary points were that more advocacy and research are needed to prolong the lives of women with stage 4 breast cancer, as we are often overshadowed by research for early stage breast cancer (which I had initially). That's why Metastatic Breast Cancer Day on October 13 each year, now a federally recognized day, was an important move forward for us women with metastatic disease. I've been stage 4 since January 2007. We need to keep promoting research for all breast cancer patients. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!