I am 30 and currently undergoing chemotherapy for PR+/HER2+ stage 1 breast cancer. I have seen a lot of discussion about HER2+ cancers being more aggressive and more likely to recur and I am absolutely terrified, although my treatment is going to plan (neoadjuvant chemo with Phesgo, lumpectomy scheduled for October, near complete response in midpoint MRI). I can’t get my mind over the feeling that this will recur and even if I have a positive outcome this time, it will be a matter of time until we are back here again, and it is really affecting me and the people supporting me.
Can anyone who has had a similar diagnosis share any positive stories so that I can balance my experience a bit?
Hi I was diagnosed January 2015 with HER2 + Grade 3 with Secondaries had 9 rounds of Chemo left side Masectomy followed by 15 rounds of Radiotherapy. I still receive Phesgo every 3 weeks but to me this is a success story yes HER2 + is an aggressive Cancer but there are so many treatmeny options available for it I hope my experience helps. Take care of yourself xx
I was diagnosed with Her2+ breast cancer in January 2013 and had a single mastectomy, lymph node clearance (because of micromets) and 6 rounds of chemo. I think there were fewer treatment options for Her2+ cancer then; I had Herceptin infusions for 12 months.
You fear of recurrence is perfectly understandable. However, 13 years after my diagnosis I am well and loving life. You can come through this. Sending love and masses of positive vibes. xxx
Tough love time. Acknowledge your fears which are understandable and legitimate and then pull yourself together. Use logic to overcome your fears or at least quieten them down.
Your cancer has been caught at a VERY early stage. The chances are overwhelmingly in favour of a complete cure. Once treatment is finished you will take some time to fully recover but pretty soon you will emerge into the sunlight, cancer free, and with maybe 70 more years of life ahead of you. Do you really want to spend that precious gift worrying about what might be. Especially when the odds are so much in your favour?
Okay there are exceptions where outcomes are not so good but the same logic applies. If you were facing the worst possible scenario, would you have wanted to spend your remaining time in misery? You are a young woman doubtless surrounded by loving friends and family who will want to give you all the support they can, BUT I can tell you that even the most devoted friends eventually weary of trying to help somebody who refuses to engage positively. Caring about others, curiously, helps when you are going through the mill health wise. You have clearly recognised that your pessimism is affecting those close to you, so get a grip. You will need their support as you progress through your treatment, so treat them as a valuable resource whose wellbeing is important to your own.
Lastly, share your fears with your medical team but remember that getting well is a team effort so don’t be the patient who insists on thinking the worst. Make it clear to them that they have your trust as long as they are always frank with you. Positivity really will make you stronger to get through this nasty blip in the road. You have had the courage to take the first step and recognised that you are struggling. Sympathy is all very well but strength is your most valuable asset. I wish you well
Hi Teddy, I think ‘get a grip’ is a bit harsh but I take your point! I am actively trying to work on my mindset and I am in the middle of the most challenging thing I’ve ever done (and hopefully will ever do!). I am very frightened and trying to be more positive.
Hey! I was diagnosed in October 2025 age 33 and had surgery before chemo. I was Er/Pr+ and Her2+. I had chemo from December to April and radiotherapy in May and I’m still getting phesgo injections until December this year.
I also went through a period of thinking I was definitely going to get a recurrence and googling every possible situation or trying to find out as much as I could to prepare myself for it again.
You are right in the middle of chemo which is challenging time mentally. It might be worth reaching out to see if your BCN can refer you for some therapy. Right now my advice is to just keep going because you will get through the treatment and you will feel better every day. Try to have faith that the treatments available currently are the best we’ve ever had and your team are doing everything they can to make sure this is a one time situation for you. I’m only months ahead of you in the treatment process and I honestly feel a thousand times more positive than I did on some of the worst chemo days.
Feel free to give me a message if I can help in anyway x
Hi, I wa diagnosed at 36 triple postive. I had a good year of herceptin, plus all the usual treatment. I am now 57 just looking at booking a half ironman. I am very fit and well and have been since diagnosis. Hang in there, you will get through it and move in. Take care.
My triple positive idc was diagnosed in Sept. 2019. It was stage 2, grade 3, 1.7 cm with 1 lymph node affected (micro). It was found by mammogram; which would have been hard to feel because it was underneath my right breast. Surgery Sept. 30th, 4 rounds of docetaxel for approx. 12 weeks, then 25 rounds of radiation. I also had one year of herceptin (no side effects) and am in my 7th year of letrozole. Lastly I take an alendronate pill once a week. So, at 76, besides being old I am in pretty good shape. I am sure you will do fine!
If you are stage 1 it was caught extremely early. This is the first positive. Second positive, you are responding to the Neo adjuvant chemo. If it makes you feel better, I was stage III at diagnosis and still considered as having caught it early. I also had to have a mastectomy because I wasn’t responding to the chemo. In fact they thought I had new tumours. It turned out I didn’t. I got a diagnosis of ‘No Evidence of Disease’ in May and am having Herceptin to mop up any rogue cells.
Thanks to amazing research (funded and campaigned for in part by Breast Cancer Now) we have access to Phesgo and Herceptin which has only been available for a relatively short period of time. It has increased survival rates by a staggering amount. I can’t remember the numbers but it is really reassuring.
You are young. Research is moving at considerable pace. Of course the hope is you don’t get it again, but if you did, there will be so many more options available to you.
If I may be a wise old bird for a moment, my advice to you would be to focus on the good news stories and ignore the rest. I decided to take the attitude that recurrence is probably out of my control, but what is in my control is my attitude. I have decided to seize the day and live life to the max. Worrying about what might be serves no-one.
Sending love. You’re getting there and you will be fine. Breathe and believe. xxx
I am actively trying to work on my mindset and I am in the middle of the most challenging thing I’ve ever done (and hopefully will ever do!). I am very frightened and trying to be more positive.