HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer: Treatment, Survival Rates, and Self-Care Strategies
Unraveling the Diagnosis of HR-Positive or HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
HR+/HER2- breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for an estimated 69% of female breast cancer cases between 2016 and 2020. In this article, we'll explore treatment options, survival rates, and self-care strategies for patients with this type of breast cancer.
Treatment Options
Treatment for HR+/HER2- breast cancer typically involves a combination of therapies tailored to the stage and aggressiveness of the disease. Key treatment options include:
- Endocrine Therapy (ET): This is a standard approach, using hormones to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Drugs like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are commonly used.
- CDK4/6 Inhibitors: These drugs, such as palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, are often combined with endocrine therapy to enhance progression-free survival in advanced disease.
- Chemotherapy: This may be used in cases where the cancer is aggressive or widespread, often in combination with other therapies.
- Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapies: Although less common for HR+/HER2- cancers, advancements in targeted therapies and their combination with other treatments are being explored.
Survival Rates
Survival rates for HR+/HER2- breast cancer vary depending on the stage at diagnosis, patient age, and overall health. Generally, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is high, exceeding 90%. However, for more advanced stages, survival rates decrease significantly.
Self-Care Strategies
Caring for oneself is essential during breast cancer treatment. Here are some self-care strategies that can be beneficial for patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer:
- Diet and Nutrition: Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help manage treatment side effects and support overall health.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity, such as walking or yoga, can improve mood, reduce fatigue, and enhance recovery during treatment.
- Emotional Support: Connecting with support groups or counseling services can help manage stress and emotional challenges associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Sleep and Rest: Ensuring adequate sleep and rest is crucial for physical recovery and mental well-being.
- Stress Management Techniques: Practices like meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve quality of life.
Regardless of the specific treatment regimen, it's important for patients to work closely with their healthcare team to tailor their care plan to their individual needs and health status.
Additional Resources
For more detailed information and updates on treatment options and survival rates, resources like the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the National Cancer Institute can provide valuable insights and support. Finding support can help ease the experience of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Options include asking a doctor about breast cancer resources, searching online for communities and support groups, and exploring online resources such as those by the American Cancer Society, Cancer Care, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
In a 2023 study involving 15,271 females with HR+/HER2- invasive lobular cancer, no added survival benefit of chemotherapy preceding endocrine therapy was found when compared to ET treatment alone. This highlights the importance of personalised treatment plans and ongoing research in the field.
Patients should be aware that HER2+ breast cancer is more aggressive and grows faster than HER2- breast cancer. Radiation therapy targets specific areas of the body with high energy rays that can destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is medication that destroys or slows the growth of rapidly growing cells such as cancer cells, but can also harm healthy fast-growing cells. Hormone-sensitive tumors can be treated with endocrine hormone therapy (EHT), also known as hormonal therapy or ET.
Doctors may combine targeted therapy with hormonal therapies. Examples of targeted therapy include abemaciclib (Verzenio) or palbociclib (Ibrance) with tamoxifen (Nolvadex) or an aromatase inhibitor (AI), olaparib (Lynparza), ribociclib succinate (Kisqali) with letrozole (Femara), and everolimus (Afinitor) with exemestane (Aromasin).
Breast cancer cell tests can produce positive or negative results for two key factors: HR (estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors) and HER2 (a protein that increases the rate at which breast cancer cells grow). Oncologists use EHT in three ways: as adjuvant therapy, to treat metastatic or advanced ER+ breast cancer, and as neoadjuvant therapy to reduce the size of an HR+ tumor prior to surgery. Oncologists may use chemotherapy for metastatic HR+/HER2- cancer that has not responded to ET.
In conclusion, HR+/HER2- breast cancer is a treatable disease with various treatment options available. By working closely with healthcare providers and employing self-care strategies, patients can manage their condition effectively and improve their quality of life.
- The most common type of breast cancer, HR+/HER2-, accounts for an estimated 69% of female breast cancer cases.
- Treatment for HR+/HER2- breast cancer often involves a combination of therapies such as endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.
- Endocrine therapy, using hormones to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells, is a standard approach and drugs like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are commonly used.
- In advanced HR+/HER2- disease, CDK4/6 inhibitors, like palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, are often combined with endocrine therapy to enhance progression-free survival.
- Chemotherapy may be used in cases where the cancer is aggressive or widespread, often in combination with other therapies.
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapies, although less common for HR+/HER2- cancers, are being explored for advancements in their combination with other treatments.
- Survival rates for HR+/HER2- breast cancer vary depending on the stage at diagnosis, patient age, and overall health. Generally, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer exceeds 90%.
- Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help manage treatment side effects and support overall health.
- Practices like meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve quality of life during breast cancer treatment.
