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Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

What is difference between Her2 positive and Er/pr+her2

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Pryor, OK
July 17
 · 
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Staging vs. Grading for Breast Cancer: What’s the Difference? Read Article...
A MyBCTeam Member

I don't know that one or the other is worse! The chemo and targeted therapy for HER2+ takes about a year, and then there is a one year oral tablet to consider. HER2+ is considered to be more aggressive, but the Hormone Positive Cancer protocols may include hormone blockers (oral med) for 5-10 years that come with their own side effects which can be challenging.

I think the bigger issue is how early a cancer is caught- the earlier the better! Hugs!

July 17 (edited)
A MyBCTeam Member

I am her2+, er+(100%), stage 2 and grade3. The type of cancer and its grade - how fast it's growing - determine your treatment options and process. As Virginia said, catching it early is the key.

July 22
A MyBCTeam Member

Worse

July 17
MyBCTeam

Great question! These are both subtypes of breast cancer, but they differ in what's driving the cancer's growth.

HER2-Positive (HER2+) Breast Cancer
This means the cancer cells have too much of the HER2 protein, which causes them to grow faster than normal. It does NOT involve hormones (estrogen or progesterone) fueling Show Full Answer

Great question! These are both subtypes of breast cancer, but they differ in what's driving the cancer's growth.

HER2-Positive (HER2+) Breast Cancer
This means the cancer cells have too much of the HER2 protein, which causes them to grow faster than normal. It does NOT involve hormones (estrogen or progesterone) fueling the growth. Treatment focuses on targeted therapies that block the HER2 protein. ER/PR+ and HER2+ (Hormone Receptor-Positive AND HER2-Positive)
This means the cancer is being driven by BOTH the HER2 protein AND hormones like estrogen or progesterone. This is sometimes called "triple positive" when both ER and PR are involved.

Treatment for this subtype typically combines:
- Targeted therapy to block the HER2 protein
- Hormone therapy (like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) to block estrogen from fueling the cancer
- Possibly chemotherapy as well

The five-year survival rate for people with HER2+ and HR+ localized breast cancer is greater than 99%, which is really encouraging news.

Always talk with your oncologist about which subtype you have and what treatment plan makes the most sense for you specifically.

July 17

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