Looking for information

Lien · 04-09-2007, 08:56 AM

Hi all, I was diagnosed with IDC 3 years ago. Had a lumpectomy, radiation and after almost a year, started Zoladex shots and Arimidex. Am doing ok with those.

I didn't get Herceptin, as this wasn't done at the time, and I didn't get chemo because the tumor was small, 0,6 cm.

My question is: does anyone know of new research regarding this kind of therapy and it's effectiveness? I know there's the ZEBRA trial and the Austrian Breast and Colorectal group trial. Just haven't found the results yet. Just a tiny abstract, which doesn't tell the whole story.

Is there any news on how Her2 positivity affects prognosis? Especially for small tumors?

I'm doing fine so far, so it's just out of curiosity that I'm trying to find out.

Oh, by the way, I live in the Netherlands, where chemo is avoided when it doesn't seem necessary. I also have severe allergies, so wasn't looking forward to taking any meds long-term, but so far seem to have no problems with hormonal therapy.

Thanks for your input

Jacqueline

ExpectAMiracle · 04-09-2007, 09:16 PM

Jacqueline:

I needed information to get my insurance to pay for Herceptin for early stage Her2+ breast cancer. Please see the thread "Need Ammunition for TCH please!'" on page 2 of this board. There are a number of wonderful links to info on this topic from some of our great senior members. Hopefully this info will be helpful for you. I used some of these articles to pass along to my oncologist and my Herceptin got approved in 2 days!

I actually started treatment today with Taxotere, Cytoxan and Herceptin.

Wishing you ALL the best!

Lien · 04-11-2007, 12:53 AM

Dear Susan,

Thank you for the info. I had a look, but I'm afraid that's not exactly what I am looking for.

As I didn't get chemo and/or Herceptin, I'm looking for info on the effectiveness of hormonal therapy. I've been taking Zoladex shots for ovarian suppression and Arimidex.

I'm trying to find out whether these therapies are more effective than taking Tamoxifen. Or than doing nothing.

There's a lot of information on Herceptin, but not much for those of us who didn't get it for whatever reason. I'm trying to find out if any of you know more about that. Maybe I should put the question in the header.

Thanks again for your help

Jacqueline