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NEDenise · 09-14-2011, 04:52 AM

Hi Everyone,
My surgeon told me that HER2 BC sometimes grows microscopically, along the surface of the ducts, without forming tumors for YEARS! He says that's why many of his patients are not diagnosed until they have advanced disease. The guy is a prominent researcher, as well as a surgeon...he says several cancer centers are researching ways to detect HER2 disease earlier...but didn't have any suggestions for me to pass on to my younger sister. I'm worried she'll end up like me someday. Blindsided by stage 3 disease,

Insurance will not pay for her to have MRIs instead of mammograms, and she was told that genetic testing "would never be approved". But I'm going to pass on the info AlaskaAngel shared about the two blood tests. Thanks!

Stay strong, new friends! Keep praying for that cure!
Denise

09-14-2011, 04:52 AM	#6
NEDenise Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 1,709	Re: How was your HER2 BC first found? Hi Everyone, My surgeon told me that HER2 BC sometimes grows microscopically, along the surface of the ducts, without forming tumors for YEARS! He says that's why many of his patients are not diagnosed until they have advanced disease. The guy is a prominent researcher, as well as a surgeon...he says several cancer centers are researching ways to detect HER2 disease earlier...but didn't have any suggestions for me to pass on to my younger sister. I'm worried she'll end up like me someday. Blindsided by stage 3 disease, Insurance will not pay for her to have MRIs instead of mammograms, and she was told that genetic testing "would never be approved". But I'm going to pass on the info AlaskaAngel shared about the two blood tests. Thanks! Stay strong, new friends! Keep praying for that cure! Denise __________________ 1/11-needle biopsy 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH! 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!! 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon 11/11 radiation x28 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY! 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :( 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon 6/8/12 Return to work :) 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :( 7/10/12 last Herceptin 7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm 8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb 8/23/12 Back to work 12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair 1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY! 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working! 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear! 7/5/13 finally off steroids!! 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin! 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again! 8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :) 9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert