Do you know
yourHER2 status?
Hear about HER2
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Since my diagnosis, there are now different
categorizations of HER2. They used to
think that it
was just either you had it or you didn't. Knowing your
HER2 status can
drive future decisions that you
make with your
oncologist."
–Susan D.
Living with metastatic breast cancer with low levels of HER2
so, what exactly
is her2?
first, let’s talk
about biomarkers
HER2 is a type of biomarker. Biomarkers can show us whether processes in the cell are working the way they should. And they can help doctors understand how metastatic breast cancer may progress and how it might respond to treatment.
Normally, HER2 is a protein that helps
cells grow and repair themselves.
But too much HER2 may cause
cells to grow uncontrollably and
become cancerous.
The amount of HER2 on the surface
of cancer cells helps to determine
someone's HER2 status.
Normally, HER2 is a protein that helps cells grow and repair themselves.
But too much HER2 may cause cells to grow uncontrollably and become cancerous.
The amount of HER2 on the surface of cancer cells helps to determine someone’s HER2 status.
in metastatic
breast cancer,
her2 levels can
have an impact
Knowledge about HER2 has come a long way. Doctors have learned that many people with breast cancer have enough HER2 to be detected by a lab test.
For years, it was believed HER2 status was either positive or negative.
Now we know it exists on a spectrum.
Many people who were told their breast cancer was HER2-negative may actually have low levels of HER2 in their cancer cells. Not high enough to be called HER2-positive, but still higher than what’s seen in normal cells. These levels can still matter.
If you were once told you had HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, you may actually have HER2 levels that matter.
now you know your
her2 status matters
and so do your
options
Discover how your HER2 status may change your metastatic breast cancer plan
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do you know
your her2 status?
Ask to get tested.
Your doctor can perform a biopsy, which takes a small sample of your tumor to see if you’re HER2-positive. If you’ve already had one, you can ask your doctor to reexamine a sample from an existing biopsy. If you haven’t had a biopsy, your doctor can perform one to confirm your HER2 status.
Okay, what happens next?
If the test shows that you’re HER2-positive, your doctor may recommend a targeted treatment plan that’s fine-tuned to your cancer.
Ask for another look at your biopsy.
Even if you’ve been tested before, there might be more to your HER2 status than you previously thought.
For people with metastatic breast cancer this may be important, because knowledge about HER2 has come a long way in recent years.
Ask your doctor to reexamine your biopsy results to ensure that you know your HER2 status is up-to-date.
Don’t let the conversation slip your mind. Talking to your doctor about your HER2 status may help shape personalized care.
I think being informed is the single best thing you could do for yourself."
–Susan D.
Living with metastatic breast cancer with low levels of HER2
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