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Herceptin a New Breast Cancer Drug Is Providing Thousands of Women with Hope

The Drug Herceptin May Reduce Recurring Breast Cancer Risk in Women

A new breast cancer drug, Herceptin, may be reason for women with breast cancer to cheer. Just this past week researchers released news that a new drug called Herceptin may reduce a woman’s risk of having recurring breast cancer by as much as 50%. The New England Journal of Medicine recently reported that women with breast cancer that over produce a substance called HER2 may have higher survival rates when taking Herceptin.

Herceptin for Treating Breast Cancer

Early studies of the drug suggest that Herceptin may be useful for treating one of the most advanced forms of breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer. This form of cancer usually spreads to other organs and is often life threatening. Further studies will need to be conducted so researchers can find out how long the benefits of drug supplementation will last. The good news however is that hope is on the horizon. Doctors expect that Herceptin might be used as adjunct therapy after a woman has been treated for breast cancer. A prescription regimen may help shrink or even eliminate the risk of recurring tumors in women with the disease.

A monoclonal antibody, Herceptin may cost almost $5,000 per year for treatment, however most insurance companies will likely cover the expense of drug treatment. There is some chance in the future that Herceptin may be used in place of chemotherapy, known to produce a variety of unpleasant side effects in women with breast cancer.

These studies come during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Remember each year more than 1.2 million people worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 200,000 women in the United States alone will suffer from metastatic breast cancer in 2005 alone according to the American Cancer Society. If you haven’t already, consider donating to the cause. Every penny could contribute to another life saved!