Breast canceris a disease in which cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably.
One of the important facts to know about your breast cancer is whether it is HER2-positive.
What Causes HER2+ Breast Cancer?
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This extra HER2 protein tells the cells to keep growing, even though they shouldnt be.
It is not often known what the trigger is that alters the DNA inside the cell to become abnormal.
There are, however, some gene mutations that have been shown to increase someones risk of developing cancer.
Though not the only ones, two of these genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Besides genetics, there are other factors that have been found to increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
The healthcare provider will likely start by taking a medical history and performing a physical exam.
This can help them determine what is causing the symptoms.
The next step in the process is imaging.
Once cancer cells have been found, additional tests will help characterize the breast cancer.
HER2 status is important to know.
Other tests include looking for estrogen and progesterone receptors on the cancer cells.
Perjeta (pertuzumab)
Perjeta works much like Herceptin to block HER2 cells from continuing to grow.
It is often used in combination with Herceptin.
It works by using the HER2 medication to move chemotherapy into the cells.
Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki)
In a similar way to Kadcyla,Enhertubinds a HER2-targeted medication with chemotherapy.
It then carries the chemotherapy into the HER2-positive cancer cells.
Other treatments
In addition to the above medications, chemotherapy or other cancer therapies may be given.
Other therapy, such as surgery or radiation, may be used to treat specific areas.
This does not mean that the cancer isnt treatable, though.
Coping With Your Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer can cause a lot of feelings.
It is diagnosed through imaging studies and a biopsy.
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer is life-changing.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, be sure to discuss them with your treating physician.
Its so important for you to be a part of your healthcare decisions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breast cancer basics.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer HER2 status.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Brain metastases.
American Cancer Society.Bone metastases.
American Cancer Society.Lung metastases.
American Cancer Society.Liver metastases.
Breastcancer.org.Enhertu: what to expect, side effects, and more.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat factsfemale breast cancer.
