Robin P.

Hi,

I too have been told not to take Herceptin. I also only have a 4mm invasive her2+ that is er and pr negative and node negative. And I am nearing my 4 year survival. My only treatments were CMF chemotherapy for 6 months and masectomy. Thats it. And I have lived this long with no reoccurnece.

I saw two outstanding breast oncologists recently to discuss if I should take Herceptin after now after the approval of Herceptin for early stage disease. However, both breast oncologists, one from Dana Farber Breast Center also associated with Harfard Medical School and a leading Herceptin breast oncologist from the Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY, felt that I did not need Herceptin. Their rationale was that I had very early stage disease that had a low risk of reccurence and that the cardiac risk of the drug outweighed the benefit.

However, in a case like yours, you definately meet the criteria for Herceptin. Your tumor was over 1 cm; I would not have been eligible for this adjuant herceptin study based on my small tumor and negative node.However, your case may very well be worth the small cardiac risk of Herceptin. I think Iwould find a "Breast Oncologist" from a leading center if I were you and hash out the percentages of benfit and risk. Then make your decision based on the number game.

Robin