HER2-POSITIVE BREAST CANCER

HER2-positive breast cancer is one form of breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancer is caused by the over-expression of a gene called HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) in tumor cells. The HER2 gene helps control how cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. About one in four women with breast cancer has too many copies of the HER2 gene in her tumor cells, which causes cancer cells to grow and spread more quickly.

Research has shown that women with HER2-positive breast cancer have a more aggressive disease and greater likelihood of recurrence than women with HER2-negative breast cancer. Unfortunately, many breast cancer patients are unaware of their breast cancer's HER2 status. When first diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important that a patient's tumor is tested for HER2. Knowing this information may help a breast cancer patient and her physicians find appropriate treatment options that fit the patient's type of cancer.

It's important to understand that the HER2 gene abnormality is only present in the breast cancer cells, not in the rest of the cells in the body, and cannot be passed onto other family members.