Herceptin is given alongside chemo. I did it for the full twelve months he first 5 1/2 of which were very difficult. After that herceptin was a walk in the park. I only knew one woman who did off protocol herceptin by itself no chemo and she did not survive past 2 years :(

You will have to see what your oncologist says but I don't think studies have been concluded on Herceptin by itself yet, I know most of us that are Her2+ have undergone TCH+Perjecta, they T and C are Taxotere and Carboplatin and they are "chemo" drugs that cause hair loss, fatigue, low white cell counts, etc. and from others I have talked to it seems like 6 rounds spread out 3 weeks apart(so 18 weeks altogether) is pretty standard, and then Herceptin for a year total. Your Dr will know best but wanted to share my personal experience. I start Herceptin only on next Monday...from what I've heard there are no real side effects of it, it's "targeted therapy" so not really "chemo." Best of luck to you!

I would say go with you oncologist treatment plan they are you're SME subject matter experts. They give reports weekly with their peers reviewing all aspects so, you know it is the best direction you can go. If you already have done chemo you may know how your body reacts. And for all the gained days, weeks, and or months we get far out weight the cost of side effects. They have medication for most and losing you're hair is inconvenient and not the greatest but, I was without for 9 months and 3 years later my hair is longer than it has ever been- at bottom of bra strap.

Well @A MyBCTeam Member that's a good enough reason to do it right hey??

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A MyBCTea...

As I understand it and from my personal experience as well, side effects of Herceptin alone are very minimal (definitely no hair loss or nausea). I did 6 rounds of TCH (hair loss likely on this though) and now on Herceptin only. The TCH, for me, wasn't really that bad at all. I am 42 but had a pretty big tumor plus significant nodal involvement.