When you hear HER2-positive breast cancer, a type of breast cancer driven by excess HER2 protein that makes cells grow aggressively. Also known as HER2+ breast cancer, it accounts for about 15-20% of all breast cancer cases and behaves differently from hormone-positive or triple-negative forms. Unlike other types, HER2-positive tumors don’t just grow because of hormones—they’re fueled by a specific protein on the cell surface called HER2. This makes them more aggressive but also uniquely treatable with drugs designed to block that exact protein.
That’s where trastuzumab, a targeted therapy that locks onto HER2 receptors to stop cancer growth comes in. It’s not chemotherapy—it’s precision medicine. Since its approval, survival rates for HER2-positive breast cancer have jumped dramatically. Other drugs like pertuzumab, ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) now work alongside or after trastuzumab to keep the disease under control longer. These aren’t just options—they’re standard care, and they only work if your tumor is confirmed HER2-positive through a biopsy test. Many people assume all breast cancers are treated the same, but that’s not true. If your cancer is HER2-positive, skipping the right targeted drugs means missing the best chance to stop it.
Testing matters. A single biopsy can tell you if your cancer is HER2-positive, hormone-sensitive, or neither. If it’s HER2-positive, your treatment plan changes completely. You won’t just get chemo—you’ll get a combo of targeted drugs, sometimes before surgery to shrink the tumor. Even if the cancer spreads, these drugs can keep it in check for years. The key is knowing your status early. Some people worry about side effects like heart issues with trastuzumab, but doctors monitor heart function closely and adjust treatment if needed. The benefits far outweigh the risks for most patients.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical guides that connect directly to your situation. From understanding how HER2-targeted drugs work to managing side effects, knowing what to ask your oncologist, and how to track treatment progress, each article cuts through the noise. You won’t find fluff—just clear, actionable info based on how real patients and doctors use these treatments every day.
