Anyone heard this?

kcherub · 03-21-2008, 03:08 PM

As my ONC. and I were discussing my "subjects" for today, he said something interesting. He said that the scientific community isn't so sure anymore that Her2+ is as aggressive as once thought. He meant in a literal sense, not just with Herceptin being around. Although Herceptin can be a best friend to us Her2+ gals!

I was telling him the story about one of my friends (and also a patient there) going into a support group meeting 8 years ago and telling them she was Her2+. They all took a sharp intake of breath, as if she wouldn't make it to the next meeting. Hence how our conversation got started.

Anyone else hear this latest rumbling? I am going to ask him more when I see him again. Wouldn't it be nice if we could be just a teeny, tiny bit less scared?

Take care,

CLTann · 03-21-2008, 08:47 PM

Krista,

This is very important to this group. I personally is very much interested in the aggressiveness of HER2 as a surface protein for tumor cell growth, since I opted for no chemo, thus no Herceptin.

Back in my mind, this has been the constant concern. I have been hoping that there is none tumor cell in my body, so that the degree of agressiveness becomes a no-factor. Also, AI is preventing tumor growth and tumor cells have no food for propagation.

I really would like to know where your onc gets his information. Or is that his own pet theory?

By the way, I am so glad to hear the initial good news on your lung x ray report. Hope the final report confirms the good news.

harrie · 03-21-2008, 11:33 PM

Ann,
My surgical oncologist told me that one of her patients opted for the herceptin only, without the chemo. I believe the studies on herceptin are based on it working with best with chemo, but from a logical standpoint, why would one not want to consider just the herceptin?
Maryanne

kcherub · 03-22-2008, 05:45 AM

Hi, Ann! I am going to ask him about this more specifically, but he did say "the scientific community" when quoting. I do know that he belongs to several groups of oncologists that go over research, etc. I think it would be great if Her2 wasn't the "big, bad wolf" or not as bad as we have been told in the past. Once again, he was talking even without Herceptin. However, I wouldn't stop taking mine.

Although, scarily enough my mind begins to wander, and think "is there something else out there that we Her2 gals might have other than Her2 that might make it more aggressive?" Just a thought, which I sure is just so lovely and comforting.

I will let you know what he says. He always spends as much time with me as I seem to need, and we were 45 minutes into chatting yesterday as it was.

Have a great weekend!

kcherub · 03-22-2008, 05:47 AM

Maryanne...I wonder the same thing! I did NOT want to do chemo, and based upon what I could research at the time, I felt that Herceptin was the most important drug for me. Plus--isn't there some thinking out there that chemo might not work as good for ER+ (maybe I have that wrong). But, I did the chemo since Herceptin alone wasn't offered to me.

Who knows what will happen in the next 6 months, 1 year, etc.?

Take care,