Can my aunt, 54, recover from her HER2+ breast cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am concerned about my aunt’s health. She is 54 years old and has been complaining about pain and itching in her right breast for the past few months. When she got it tested, a biopsy was planned, and it was found to be breast cancer. She underwent a further blood test, upon which it was said that she had HER2-positive breast cancer. She is really afraid now. We are worried and have a few concerns.

What would be the further treatments for this?
Can she recover from this?
Can this be treated entirely?
She seems to be worried a lot. How do I console her?

Please guide.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am sorry for your aunt’s condition.

It looks like your aunt has recently been diagnosed with HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) breast cancer. In most cases, patients will be treated initially with chemotherapy plus Trastuzumab. Another drug, Pertuzumab, can be added depending on the stage of cancer. After completion of six to eight chemotherapy cycles and anti-HER2 or Neu therapy, the next step will be surgery to remove the breast mass.

Further treatment will depend upon the pathology report of the excised tumor. Since I do not know the stage and hormone receptor status, I can share the general prognosis with you for your better understanding. With research and advancements in breast cancer treatment, overall survival and disease-free survival have increased, and most patients survive for long years depending upon the stage and molecular profile of the tumor.

The survival years can extend up to 10 years in 80 percent of early-stage cancers with HER2 and hormonal positive results.

I hope this helps.