Being her2positive but consultant wanted to delay herceptin!

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Hi everyone!
Just newly diagnosed with stage 4 metastic breast cancer which is her2 positive. Had first appointment with my consultant yesterday. I just wasn’t very happy about the way she dithered about things. I am on tamoxifen as I have some oestrogen receptors. She said I should have radiotherapy to my left hip and thigh. I asked about herceptin and she wondered about giving it straight away. I am afraid I burst in to tears at this. My major organs are clear at present. I just wanted to keep it at bay as long as possible. The consultant said that herceptin generally stopped working within 12 to 14 months. Which really cheered me up! Anyway, I will now start herceptin straight after readiotherapy. I just wondered if I should seek a second opinion. Which I am tempted to do! Any thoughts on this will be greatfully received.

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Bringing this to the top for new user Sue

Jo, Facilitator

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Hi Sue,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have metastatic breast cancer too and I would say it’s generally a good idea to get a second opinion if you are in any doubt about what your own consultant is suggesting. I did get a second and actually a third opinion but not for about a year after my secondary diagnosis and I spent a lot of time during that first year fretting about whether I was on the right treatment. In the end the second and third opinion broadly agreed with my consultant’s approach which was helpful (although the third opinion oncologist suggested adding something in which I did). I will probably get a second opinion when I next change treatment as well. There doesn’t seem to be any single approach to treating metastatic breast cancer and so I think it’s useful to get more than one person’s input.
I don’t know much about responses to Herceptin as I have not (yet) been diagnosed as Her2+. But I have read that some women have been on it for much longer than 12-14 months. And there are newer targeted therapies for Her2+ people now so if it fails you may well have another Her2-targeted treatment to move on to.

All the best with your treatment.
Tournesol