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TAG · 01-05-2006, 07:05 PM

Hello Cheryl and thanks for responding so quickly.

I agree that she needs a new Oncologist but she isn't aggresive enough. I'm the type that needs knowledge and would be on this board or the Internet trying to understand all of this so I can have a educated conversation with my Dr. My friend just turned 40 and is pre menopausal. My friend told her Oncologist that she wanted the whole breast removed so the cancer couldn't come back. During the beginning of this her Oncologist didn't think it was necessary to remove the whole breast since she only had DCIS but my friend was aggressive and wanted the breast gone. She still has her right breast that is cancer free at this point.

I'm confused when I read about your diagnosis being HER2+++ and 75% ER +. What does HER2+++ mean? I guess I'm confused about the three plus signs (+++) Also, I'm not sure of my friends percentage of being ER positive. She has never mentioned a percentage to me during any of this. I guess I can ask her what percentage she is, I'm sure she doesn't even know that.

My friend was also told that Chemo wouldn't help her because she is HER2 Positive and ER positive. Her Oncologist has mentioned Herceptin and Radiation to her but again she hasn't had ANY treatment besides the one breast removal and lymph node removal. I really want to help her and want to understand all of this myself. She was also told that Tamoxifen won't help her either.

I'm sorry if I'm confusing you but I'm learning as I go along.

Thanks again for any response!

Toni

01-05-2006, 07:05 PM	#3
TAG Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	Hello Cheryl and thanks for responding so quickly. I agree that she needs a new Oncologist but she isn't aggresive enough. I'm the type that needs knowledge and would be on this board or the Internet trying to understand all of this so I can have a educated conversation with my Dr. My friend just turned 40 and is pre menopausal. My friend told her Oncologist that she wanted the whole breast removed so the cancer couldn't come back. During the beginning of this her Oncologist didn't think it was necessary to remove the whole breast since she only had DCIS but my friend was aggressive and wanted the breast gone. She still has her right breast that is cancer free at this point. I'm confused when I read about your diagnosis being HER2+++ and 75% ER +. What does HER2+++ mean? I guess I'm confused about the three plus signs (+++) Also, I'm not sure of my friends percentage of being ER positive. She has never mentioned a percentage to me during any of this. I guess I can ask her what percentage she is, I'm sure she doesn't even know that. My friend was also told that Chemo wouldn't help her because she is HER2 Positive and ER positive. Her Oncologist has mentioned Herceptin and Radiation to her but again she hasn't had ANY treatment besides the one breast removal and lymph node removal. I really want to help her and want to understand all of this myself. She was also told that Tamoxifen won't help her either. I'm sorry if I'm confusing you but I'm learning as I go along. Thanks again for any response! Toni