Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
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Biological Targeted Therapy Questions about biological targeted therapy. |
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| 3/23/2012 | My DX is: ER-/PR-/HER2+. The HER2+ was actually 15% Positive, 85% negative. I am BRCA1. I had 6x TCH and will continue Herceptin for the remainder of the year. I just had a complete hysterectomy. My IDC tumor was .8mm. I also had a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction, all margins clear and no lymph node involvements. Tumor grade was 3 with KI-67 = 85%. I'm really scared because of the tumor grade and KI score. Is there a way I can test for circulating cancer cells? How can I be reassured that the TCH treatments are actually working? Is there anything I can do for treatment to assure no recurrence? Scared in Encino. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 3/23/2012 | Here @ JH we do not follow our patients with serum tumor markers or screening scans for recurrence. Continue compliance with your treatments and doctor appointments, and consider healthy life style changes (if not already practicing) such as diet, exercise, no smoking, etc. We go by patient's report of 'how they are feeling', and if indicated, say by any change noted in pain, lumps, bumps etc, will do further work up for that. It is very normal after diagnosis to fear recurrence. Some other helpful measures to possibly decrease stress and anxiety might be to join a support group, try yoga, Tai Chi, massage therapy, accupuncture, meditation, prayer, journaling, visual imaging and even counseling, to name a few. It is a transition from patient to survivor, and finding your new normal. Hope this helps, and best wishes! | ||
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