Hi all, I am weighing long term effects in my treatment. Specifically concerns for the heart long term side effects.
I know the “standard of care” for Herception are still 12 months (at least here in the US) but I’ve seen the studies that 6 months is just as effective and lowers the risk for increased toxicity. Does anyone have any experience or have been offered a lower time frame? I feel like all my doctors kind of point fingers at the others treatment when I talk about my future quality of life. My tumors are in the left breast- so my radiation will be over the heart. I’m labeled stage 3, triple positive, grade 2, lymph node involvement, BRCA1 carrier, and a cautious self advocate 
thank you for your time
2 Likes
Hi salt24, I was offered 6 months of herceptin injections back in 2020 in the UK. I was originally told it would be 12 months but this was changed to 6 months during the pandemic based on research showing it was just as effective. They later offered me 12 months again just as I’d had what I thought was my last herceptin injection. I questioned the benefits of having another 6 months and decided against it when my oncology nurse explained there was more risk of damage to my heart and similar results with the overall effectiveness of the cancer returning. Mine was also on the left hand side. I’m almost 5 years with no signs of the cancer returning and don’t regret my decision. My breast cancer was HER+ with no lymph node involvement. I hope this helps, Tracy
1 Like
Hi tmmorriss, thank you so much for sharing your experience! Yes, that does help a lot. I’m so glad to hear you are cancer free!!
I talked to my oncologist about it yesterday while I was also delayed a week from receiving my 4th treatment of THCP due to low RBC’s and platelets. She said she would like to see my pathology results after my double mastectomy before discussing further but ultimately it’s my decision. I realize they have to go by the global standard practice but with the results so close and only being 38 with 3 young kids, I try to logically weigh the long term effects of all the treatments. Did you have any radiation or hormone treatment? If you don’t mind sharing. Thank you again!
1 Like
Hi salt24, yes I had radiotherapy. Again it was changed due to the pandemic as originally it was 3 weeks treatment but using evidence from research it was changed to 5 days with a slightly higher dosage. I finished chemo after 6 cycles on 16th June 2020 (3 cycles FEC and 3 cycles docetaxel) and had radiotherapy 13th - 17th July 2020. I didn’t need hormone treatment as my breast cancer was ER-. I had regular heart scans (echocardiograms) during my herceptin injections. Think they were every 3 months. Everything was fine and the results were sent to my clinical oncology nurse who was my point of contact during the chemo and herceptin part of my treatment. Wishing you all the best with your treatment, Tracy
1 Like
Hi tmmorriss (Tracy), thank you for sharing and the well wishes in my treatment. Have a great week