About 17 percent Polish women suffering from breast cancer, the cause of the development of the disease is the so-called HER2 receptor overexpression. The disease can be stopped by targeted therapy – possible only if the patient is tested for HER2 receptor status. One of the most modern drugs for this type of cancer is available in tablet form.
As argued on Thursday at a press conference in Krakow, the provincial consultant in the field of clinical oncology, Assoc. Krzysztof Krzemieniecki from the University Hospital in Krakow, before reaching for modern drugs, first you need a reliable diagnosis, which women should demand.
The HER2 protein is a receptor on the surface of cells that influences cell growth and division. In cancer cells, the number of copies of the HER2 receptor gene can be increased, and this can lead to faster cancer growth.
HER2-positive breast cancer is found in 20-30 percent. patients with breast cancer, in Poland in 17 percent. This tumor is more aggressive, patients have faster metastases to other organs.
Each patient diagnosed with breast cancer should have the HER2 receptor status marked, because this knowledge will allow for the selection of an effective treatment – said Krzemieniecki. As he emphasized, cancer treatment is and should be personalized, a method that is good for one person may not be effective for another, so precise diagnosis is the most important thing.
The optimal method of treatment in women with over-expression of the HER2 receptor is – as Dr. Krzemieniecki – administration of the drug trastuzumab, which binds to the receptor and inhibits the growth of a cancerous tumor. Trastuzumab is not used in patients with very small tumors, very advanced disease or in those who have severe heart problems.
When trastuzumab does not work, or the disease comes back, lapatinib is given. This drug can be taken orally, which has the advantage that the patient is not hospitalized, he can work and continue normal activity – said Krzemieniecki.
Treatment with both preparations is available in Poland and – incl. thanks to the efforts of the Amazons, i.e. the association of women after mastectomy – reimbursed. As emphasized by Krzemieniecki, it is important that oncologists – also working in smaller centers – order the HER2 receptor determination, and then verify the result in an oncology facility with a higher level of reference.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Poland. Annually, there are about 14 thousand. new cases. Every year, about 5 die from this disease. sick.