@A MyBCTeam Member - Herceptin is a targeted therapy drug used to treat certain types of breast and stomach cancer, specifically those that are HER2-positive. HER2 is a protein, not a hormone.

Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that uses the body's estrogen and progesterone hormones to grow. The primary drugs used for HR+ cancer are aromatase inhibitors (like Anastrozole) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) (like Tamoxifen).

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A MyBCTea...

Clear margins only means they have incised all the cancer from the area of the actual primary tumor. Even when cancer is not detected in any of the nodes at the time of surgery, it doesn’t mean it has broken lose from the initial place and spread to other areas via the lymph or blood stream. They cannot eradicate the whole body. And it can’t be detected until it settles someplace and cells start to divide. A pet scan is usually given before treatment is started that will,show any stray cancer cells in the body. I’m not sure how small of an area will show up at this point. They r a lot of other considerations and variables to this. Y’all should all be thankful of the “poisons” some of u complain. Years ago they didn’t have the poisons and breast cancer was a death sentence. Thank God for all the adjuncts that give us all a chance to live now. Hope this helps! Love u all! And hang in there. It certainly could have been worse without all the therapies we have today.

There are various types of cancer that are more aggressive, and faster growing. Some cancers form definite tumors and others are more like spray splatter. Getting every cell removed is difficult. All it takes is one missed cancer cell to spread elsewhere.

Everybody has the expectation that they will live long, full lives. The only guarantee is that all humans will die with the only variables being the when and how. It’s best not to let the fear of cancer recurrence ruin what time is remaining. Live every moment as if it is the last one. Sometimes chemo/radiation extends our time. WE get to choose if the side effects are worth it.

@A MyBCTeam Member ' Y’all should all be thankful of the “poisons” some of u complain.'

I respect your opinion as we all have them but I disagree with that statement.
I think being 2025 these poisonous drugs that reek havoc on women should be less harsh. Chemo 20-30 yrs ago made women vomit, thats the only change now, now women don't usually vomit, they just feel nauseous s where they can't eat. Maybe in 20-30 yrs women won't feel nauseous

And what about recurrences in women who did it all ? Mastectomy, chemo, radiation and drugs for 5 yrs only to get cancer again a few years later? So, you say it could have been worse if we didnt have these therapies today. Overwhelming fatigue, damage to organs, lymphedema, pain, nausea, neuropathy sometimes permanently .

I think women who are suffering with these problems probably have a hard time feeling thankful . Sure, life is extended but at what costs?

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A MyBCTea...

My dad died of cancer in 1970 at age 35. Although after each surgery, we were told, that the doctors had gotten it all, the imaging of the time could not tell that there was still cancer and it had spread to several organs. The doctors are doing the best they can with the current knowledge, meds, and tools.

Knowing that, we each must make the decisions that feel right to us. I applaud the efforts of anyone looking for other avenues to support their healing. Medical schools train doctors to treat symptoms and disease. We need more doctors dedicated to determining root causes and prevention vs treatment.