HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Recent diagnosis in recurrent bc with Her2+

StephN · 05-31-2005, 12:25 PM

Hi and welcome.
Since this is a new primary, are they staging this as if you have never had BC before?
Since the pathology for the new tumor is so different from the other one, I would feel that an aggressive approach would be best, but being node neg, the doc may not feel that way. You have had a recurrance and it is a more aggressive type, so really consider getting Herceptin at a minimum, and I don't understand your onc's comment that you have to "take chemo just to get the Herceptin."

There are lots of women who are getting Herceptin, who are NOT stage IV, and not getting chemo. Your med onc just has to find a way to get it prescribed so that your insurance will cover it. If he won't, try getting a second opinion and maybe you will find a doc who is willing and does not have to be prodded into giving you a drug that is protective in your case.

You are so close to the time when menopause should occur, maybe it is a good idea to take something to hurry that along, then you have some different options. (Being hormone neg and already menopausal when my BC was discovered, I do not have the specific drugs in mind.)

05-31-2005, 12:25 PM	#5
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Hi and welcome. Since this is a new primary, are they staging this as if you have never had BC before? Since the pathology for the new tumor is so different from the other one, I would feel that an aggressive approach would be best, but being node neg, the doc may not feel that way. You have had a recurrance and it is a more aggressive type, so really consider getting Herceptin at a minimum, and I don't understand your onc's comment that you have to "take chemo just to get the Herceptin." There are lots of women who are getting Herceptin, who are NOT stage IV, and not getting chemo. Your med onc just has to find a way to get it prescribed so that your insurance will cover it. If he won't, try getting a second opinion and maybe you will find a doc who is willing and does not have to be prodded into giving you a drug that is protective in your case. You are so close to the time when menopause should occur, maybe it is a good idea to take something to hurry that along, then you have some different options. (Being hormone neg and already menopausal when my BC was discovered, I do not have the specific drugs in mind.)