How do I recover after HER2 breast cancer treatment?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 64-year-old woman who just finished treatment for stage 1 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy on one side, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. They told me it was human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-negative). I am cancer-free now, thank goodness, but I am worried. What exactly does HER2-negative mean? Is it better or worse than other types? And what about the future? Do I need to worry about it coming back? Are there specific things I should do to stay healthy? My kids keep pestering me to eat better and exercise more. Is that really going to help? I just want to know what to expect and how to keep this nasty disease away for good.

Kindly provide some information and advice on this.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

It looks like you have been successfully treated for stage 1 human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-negative) breast cancer. HER2-negative and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer generally have a better prognosis than human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2-positive) and hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.

HER2-positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about one out of every five breast cancers, the cancer cells have extra copies of the gene that makes the HER2 protein.

Stage 1 HER2-negative and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer has a very low recurrence rate. You will just need to attend regular follow-up appointments with your oncologist and take oral medication if your breast cancer is hormone receptor-positive.

There is nothing to worry about, as the chances of cancer coming back in stage 1 hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer are very low. I suggest you just follow up regularly with your oncologist.

I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.