CA indicators

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isaiah4031
isaiah4031 Member Posts: 240
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
What is herp positive? My friend was told her bc was that, but I don't know what it means. She is stage 2 and just newly diagnosed. (I am a survivor of 3 years...) I didn't have the herp thing..only the positive estrogen receptors. Thanks
Hugs, Jayne

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  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
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    Perhaps she's referring to being positive for the Her2Nu gene. Mine was negative but, as it was explained to me, Her2Nu is one of the genetic indicators doctors are using to predict the probability of a reoccurance. There is even a drug, Herceptin, available since the late 1990s, to counter act this increased probability.
  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #3
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    Hi Jayne,

    I am HER2 positive also. Because of that, I am enrolled in a clinical trial receiving the drug which tlmac mentioned, herceptin. This drug is specifically designed to block the HER2 protein (which she is overexpressing) from attaching to cells and multipling rapidly. I am stage IIIA with one lymph node positive. Does your friend have any nodes involved? HER2 positive cancers tend to be more aggressive so she might want to keep that in mind when choosing treatments. Good luck to you both.
    Susan
  • isaiah4031
    isaiah4031 Member Posts: 240
    #4
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    SusanAnne said:

    Hi Jayne,

    I am HER2 positive also. Because of that, I am enrolled in a clinical trial receiving the drug which tlmac mentioned, herceptin. This drug is specifically designed to block the HER2 protein (which she is overexpressing) from attaching to cells and multipling rapidly. I am stage IIIA with one lymph node positive. Does your friend have any nodes involved? HER2 positive cancers tend to be more aggressive so she might want to keep that in mind when choosing treatments. Good luck to you both.
    Susan

    thank you so much...I knew I could come here and ge the info I needed. When I was going through my treatment, you all were such a lifeline for me. I will share this info with her and we both appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers.
    Hugs, Jayne
  • billandpatty
    billandpatty Member Posts: 86
    #5
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    I'm a 4 year survivor and either didn't know or wasn't aware of this "Her2Nu" (I don't recall anyone mentioning it at support groups or when women would get together and compare notes). I was told my cancer was very aggressive (Stage II, 0 lymph nodes involved out of 30 and estrogen negative). I am going to ask my oncologist about it on the next visit. It's always good to be learning new things.

    Have a great weekend everyone.

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