Hello Lorna and thanks for your post

I was sorry to learn about your daughter. I belong to the nurse team and one of our moderators asked if we could post a reply to you.

As you probably know, some breast cancer cells have a higher than normal level (an over expression) of a protein called HER2. This stimulates the cancer cells to grow. Herceptin works by attaching to the HER2 proteins and this can stop the cancer cells growing. Herceptin only works in people whose cancer cells over express HER2. These cancers are called HER2 positive. Herceptin is used alongside chemotherapy to reduce the risk of breast cancer from coming back. You can read more about Herceptin and the possible side effects at this link.

I hope that there are people here on the forum who can offer support about their experience of Herceptin. If no-one posts here you could try posting on some other topic areas of the forum.

I hope this helps. Please give us a call if you want to talk this through. We are here Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and the number to ring is 0808 800 4040.

Best wishes,

Celene

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Sorry to hear about your daughter, I have her2 positive breast cancer . Just had 3 E/C chemo sessions, just started on the target therapy drugs last Friday trastuzumub and pertuzumab the latter I believe is the herceptin , also docytaxel which I had on a different day to see if I had any reactions . Next session they will put all three together. Also had 5 injections to do at home of filigrastin. I had a initial reaction as the herceptin started going in , just sent my BP and pulse up, stopped treatment for a little bit until recovered then started it again. One good thing it didn't make me feel sick .at the moment I have numb lips sore mouth thrush  upper and lower , itchy rash on my neck ,however can't say which of the drugs is causing it . I'm sure your daughter will cope , I feel like giving in on odd days , but we are fighters very good luck x