Sisters with Mets...should I stop Herceptin?

[jellybean]

Hi Kim,

Congratulations on having this great dilemma! When I met with Dr. Slamon, he indicated that when women have been NED on Herceptin alone for 7 years, he has tried "wrestling them off" the Herceptin. I asked him why he wanted them to stop the drug. He didn't seem to have a medical reason. He just wanted them to lead their lives without being tethered to the infusion center. He seems to believe that if the cancer has not returned for this amount of time, it is unlikely to do so.

He told me that if I were NED for another year and a half or two (it currently has been about 4 years), I should consider going off the Herceptin.

That said, if I were in your position, and I didn't have any side effects from the Herceptin, I don't know if I would have the guts to discontinue it.

Good luck with your decision!

JB