Dr say no more herceptin forever

[jas]

I am writing on behalf of my mother who was diagnosed with stage 3A Grade 3 Her2 breast cancer in September 2005 she is 59 years old. She has recieved cemo and has completed 9 doses of 3 weekly herceptin. She has recently had a heart scan MUGA at she had a reading of 49 this has come down from 65 when she was tested before all treatment. She went to see her ONC who said her was going to stop her taking herceptin permanently. No break and then go back on - he wants to stop it forever. He said that the risk in terms of damage to her heart was not worth taking. He said that the Finnish study showing that taking herceptin for a short period of time was just as beneficial as taking it for a year.

My mother really likes and respects her doctor and he is from St Barthomews hospital in London, it has a very good reputation.

I am worried that not giving her the option of re starting Herceptin after a break is a mistake. He did say to her that in 6 weeks he is sure that her heart function will return to normal.

Is this good advice? Im worried the decision may have something to do with financial pressures regarding the expence of Herceptin.