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Hi Martin,
If it's not already clear from the answers given so far, there is a huge international effort right now being made to determine whether herceptin is useful in preventing recurrences. Lots of evidence suggests yes. In the U.S. those clinical trials are mostly giving herceptin along with chemo, and then continuing for a year after. The huge international HERA trial (Canada, Europe, Australia) gives herceptin after surgery, chemo, rads--for a year or two years (or not at all if the woman is randomized to that arm of the trial). And, lots of oncologists are now giving herceptin out of a trial. But anecdotal evidence suggests that only happens when the woman is officially at "high risk" of recurrence (more than 10 positive nodes, for instance) or herself pushes her oncologist to prescribe it.
That said, the side effects of herceptin are fairly minimal/rare. There was concern, early on its development, about heart toxicity. Recent evidence suggests that something likt 5% of women on herceptin have some heart problems, just about all of it reversible. But with careful monitoring (through MUGA or ECHO) it's easy to tell how/if herceptin is affecting the heart.
Good luck!
Jeff
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