Not sure about HER2+
Breast Cancer?
Knowing what HER2+ breast cancer is
There's a lot to take in with a breast cancer diagnosis, so don't feel concerned if you can't remember every definition or explanation you read or hear about! The full name for HER2 is Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2. Briefly, each normal breast cell contains copies of the HER2 gene. The HER2 gene is found in the DNA of a cell and it helps control the way cells grow, divide and repair themselves.
What happens with HER2+ breast cancer
With HER2+ breast cancer there are too many HER2 genes per cell. This causes too much HER2 protein to develop. Doctors call this HER2 protein overexpression. HER2+ breast cancer is considered an aggressive form of breast cancer because the cancer cells are growing and dividing too quickly.
Why it's important to know your type of breast cancer
Knowing exactly what kind of breast cancer you have is critical because it helps doctors decide what the best course of treatment will be. Approximately 1 in 4 women have HER2+ breast cancer, so it's important that you ask your doctor if your tumor has been tested and if you are in fact HER2+.
