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AlaskaAngel · 08-13-2012, 09:51 AM

Barbiecorn,

Another opinion...

I never had trastuzumab myself (due to the failure of my onc to disclose to me my HER2 test results in response to my inquiries).

However, I tend to favor the use of it prophylactically, like Sarah. But in reading Eve's posts elsewhere, with her cardiac issues in taking just trastuzumab without any chemo, I can understand your concerns about that. It is likely that with time Eve's cardiac issues will lessen, but it is difficult to say for certain.

Given the alternative shorter period of use of trastuzumab successfully in the FinHer study, plus your cardiac question, maybe doing a shorter course would suffice, although that study did include chemo as additional protection I think.

I have no idea why I did not need any trastuzumab to stay NED, other than that I was stage I and in my early 50's (and as Rolepaul discussses, I had no positive nodes). I had both DCIS and IDC.

A.A.

08-13-2012, 09:51 AM	#11
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Re: HER2+ and no Herceptin Treatment Barbiecorn, Another opinion... I never had trastuzumab myself (due to the failure of my onc to disclose to me my HER2 test results in response to my inquiries). However, I tend to favor the use of it prophylactically, like Sarah. But in reading Eve's posts elsewhere, with her cardiac issues in taking just trastuzumab without any chemo, I can understand your concerns about that. It is likely that with time Eve's cardiac issues will lessen, but it is difficult to say for certain. Given the alternative shorter period of use of trastuzumab successfully in the FinHer study, plus your cardiac question, maybe doing a shorter course would suffice, although that study did include chemo as additional protection I think. I have no idea why I did not need any trastuzumab to stay NED, other than that I was stage I and in my early 50's (and as Rolepaul discussses, I had no positive nodes). I had both DCIS and IDC. A.A. __________________ Dx 2002 age 51 bc for granny, aunt, cousin, sister, mother. ER+/PR+/HER2+++, grade 3 IDC 1.9 cm, some DCIS, Stage 1, Grade 3 Lumpectomy, CAFx6 (no blood boosters), IMRT rads, 1 3/4 yr tamoxifen Rads necrosis BRCA 1 & 2 negative Trials: Early detection OVCA; 2004 low-dose testosterone for bc survivors Diet: Primarily vegetarian organic; metformin (no diabetes), vitamin D3 Exercise: 7 days a week, 1 hr/day No trastuzumab, no taxane, no AI NED