When the doctors confirmed that you have breast cancer, I can imagine how scared, shocked, and sad you must have felt. There are so many questions that come to mind at such a time. But when your doctor says a word like 'HER2-Positive', it must have made your mind even more anxious. "What is that word? Does it mean that my condition is serious?" It is normal for a thousand things to come to mind. That is why today we will talk about what this 'HER2-Positive' breast cancer is, what it means, and what are the treatments for it in a very simple way that you can understand.
What is 'HER2'?
Simply put, HER2 is a protein that helps the growth of breast cells in our body. Its full name is ``Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2``. This protein is present in a healthy person's breast cells in a certain, controlled amount. It helps the cells divide and grow in an orderly manner.
However, in some breast cancers, due to a defect in the gene that makes the HER2 protein, this protein is produced in excess. It's like stepping on the accelerator of a car. Then, as if the car is going fast, these cancer cells start to divide and grow very quickly, without control. The main reason why the cancer gets worse is this excessive production of the protein.
So, if your cancer is ' HER2-positive ', it means that there is an excess of this growth protein called HER2 on the surface of your cancer cells.
How do I know if it is HER2-positive?
When you suspect you have breast cancer, your doctor will likely recommend a biopsy. As you may recall, this involves taking a small piece of tissue and sending it to a lab to be tested. This tissue sample is then examined to determine the exact type of cancer.
The main thing that is looked at in this test is the HER2 status. Also, another important thing is checked. That is, whether the cancer is sensitive to hormones. That is, whether the cancer grows due to the hormones `(Estrogen)` and `(Progesterone)`. After looking at all this, the doctor decides what is the most suitable and successful treatment method for you.
Let's explain a little more about what we're testing.
| Marker | What does that say? |
|---|---|
| HER2 Status | The cancer cells are tested to see if they have too much of the HER2 protein (positive) or not (negative). If it is positive, it means that this protein helps the cancer cells grow rapidly. |
| Hormone Receptor Status | They look to see if the cancer cells have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone. If these are positive, those hormones help the cancer grow. |
The results of these tests will determine the type of cancer you have. For example, HER2-positive or Hormone Receptor-negative. All of this information is important in helping you develop your treatment plan.
Who gets HER2-positive cancer? Is it dangerous?
HER2-positive breast cancer can occur in women as well as in men, and very rarely in men. It is more common in women under the age of 50. The exact cause is not yet known.
Now let's get to the biggest question on your mind: Is this dangerous?
The truth is, HER2-positive cancers may have a slightly higher growth rate. This means that these cancer cells have a slightly higher tendency to divide or spread relatively quickly.
But, don't panic! This is what you need to remember. Yes, this type of cancer can be fast. But very effective and targeted therapies have been developed today. Therefore, there is no reason to be afraid of the word "fast".
Treatment and hope for recovery
This is the best news in this article. About 20 years ago, HER2-positive breast cancer was considered a difficult and serious condition to treat. But with the advancement of medical science, the situation has completely changed today.
Scientists have discovered a number of specific drugs that can target and block the action of this HER2 protein. This is called `` targeted therapy .'' To put it simply, these drugs go directly to the HER2 protein, blocking the signal that tells cancer cells to "grow faster." This is like putting the brakes on a speeding car.
Because of these targeted therapies, the chance of a person with HER2-positive breast cancer being completely cured is now very high, on par with the cure rates for the more common hormone-dependent cancers.
What happens after treatment?
After completing treatment, your doctor will continue to monitor you. Rarely, the cancer may come back or spread to other parts of the body. If this happens, your doctor will do another biopsy. This is because the nature of the cancer can sometimes change over time. For example, a cancer that was previously HER2-positive may come back and become HER2-negative. Therefore, treatment is always based on the latest status.
So, get rid of your fear. Yes, the word cancer is scary. But HER2 -Positive is a very treatable and curable condition today.
Take-Home Message
- HER2-positive breast cancer is when cancer cells overproduce a protein (HER2) that accelerates growth.
- This condition is diagnosed by examining a tissue sample from your biopsy.
- Although this type of cancer tends to grow a little faster, there is no need to be afraid of it.
- Nowadays, there are very successful targeted therapies developed for this purpose. As a result, the chances of recovery are very high.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions, fears, or doubts you may have. That's where you'll get the most accurate information and the best relief.
- You are not alone. With a strong mindset and the right treatment, you can overcome this challenge.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න