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Waiting for the HER2 result

Saiff9844
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Hi, my wife has been confirmed breast cancer on 19Aug which is ER/PR negative with a grade 3 tumor. The size of the tumor is around 2cm and should have not spread. After we met the surgery doctor 2 days later, she said we still need to wait for the HER2 result to see if it is positive or negative. We are very anxious that the tumor keeps growing (grade 3 is very fast growing) and spreads to lymph nodes very soon. We called the key nurse for checking the status, however she said we still need to wait for couples of weeks.

i just wait to know whether it really needs so long time for waiting, given that the tumour is so tough.

Thanks for your advice and what should we do in this waiting period.

Regards

Sai

  • Hi Sai  

    My name is Linda, and I am one of the nurses from the support line. Thanks for getting in touch during what sounds like an understandably unsettling time.

    It’s natural to want treatment to start as soon as possible, and this is what your wife’s treatment team will want too. But it is important to wait to have the HER 2 status returned as this will help to determine the full cancer diagnosis and importantly shape her treatment plan to give her the best outcome.

    The length of time to wait for results can vary from hospital to hospital. It might help to speak with nurse again to ask if the wait your wife is experiencing is normal for that hospital, or if further testing is needed to establish the status. They should be able to advise about this.

    You can also speak with them about any concerns you have about the cancer growing or spreading during this time. Though it can feel like a long time the nurse may be able to offer reassurance about the risk of progression whilst your wife waits.

    If, after speaking to the nurse, you feel no further forward it might help to speak with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) about your concerns.

    In the meantime, it may help to look at this guide How to ease worry when waiting for medical test results, and also our information, Preparing for treatment. In addition, it might also help to join our Breast cancer forum and post your experience there. The support and hints and tips from others who are going through or have gone through similar times can be invaluable.

    I hope your wife hears soon and is better placed to understand what will happen next and when. And if we can help further, please do get back in touch

    Take care Linda
    (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

    The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm or contact us by email or webchat. 

    Ref: LM/KS

  • in reply to Linda - Macmillan

    Hi Linda, so many thanks for your reply and explanation.

    Actually the key nurse told us that we have to wait for around 5 weeks for HER2 result when we called her about the update again. Just thought that it is quite long time for getting the result that we are really struggling, especially it is a grade 3 tumour.

    We will keep waiting the report but no choice, and hope it comes to us as soon as possible. I’ll also seek your help in case of any need.

    Thanks again for your post.

    Sai 

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