Hormone receptor test results

Hi  

The ER8/PR8 is good news.  ER is oestrogen positive breast cancer and it is measured out of 8, so what it's saying is that you are 8/8 being receptive to the oestrogen blocking tablets.  I was ER8/PR8 and they never really mentioned the PR (progesterone), but it's fairly similar when using good old Dr Google - everything they talked about with me was to do with the ER+. 

If you are HER2 negative, then that will also be very good news - HER2 usually means you will have to have chemo.

ER+ can often mean that providing there is no spread to the lymph nodes/ not young with a fast growing tumor/ depending on Oncotype DX score  it may mean that you may avoid chemo altogether.

I was diagnosed in 2017 and at that time, the Oncotype DX wasn't used much - I didn't get it anyway (those that had it had theirs sent to the USA for results), but I'm gathering it's much more widely used these days.  

I had the operation to remove my tumor, then put on oestrogen blockers (daily tablet for 5 years) and radiotherapy.  It was a much 'easier' treatment as I wasn't ill at all and only had 2 days off work for the whole time (one day for the operation, next day to recover and was then back at work).

I hope the HER2 result is negative for you.

Kindest wishes, Lesley

It has spread to one of my lymph nodes, but it is contained there x

Unfortunately due to all this Covid, I have had to take time off work so that I can attend scans etc and be well enough for my operation.

Keep well 

xx

Hi Deb, just to add that a high progesterone score with a high oestrogen score is good,  as apparently the progesterone slows down the cancer, and statistically makes recurrence risk lower (though someone had to be that unfortunate percentage still,  and it could be any of us.) Mine was ER 8/8 and PR 8/8 too, so fingers  crossed!