Many factors determine the journey in defeating cancer, including the genetic make up of the patient.
After diagnosis of breast cancer, gene mutation factors may be discovered and added to the treatment plan soon after biopsy. It is then that a decision can be made for therapy.
After biopsy and diagnosis, a health care plan will be decided based on the combination and types of cancer, whether a mastectomy or lumpectomy will be the treatment option, the condition and overall health of the patient, and what other factors are involved..
Oncogene Her-2 gene mutation is the most common of Human Epideral Receptors
According to Mayo Clinic, Oncogene is a genetic material carried in the chromosome that can cause normal cells to develop into cancerous ones. This human epidermal growth factor receptor 32 Her-2 is due to a gene mutation that is found in many kinds of cancers.
Patients who have the Oncogene Her-2 with breast cancer may get an IV of Herceptin (Trastuzumah) in between chemotherapy treatments to block the Her-2 gene. In cases in which the cancer is being fed and stimulated by estrogen, shots of hormone blockers may also be a part of the targeted drug therapy.
Her-2 Positive Oncogen is more aggressive, because the Her-2 protein is not as receptive to hormone treatments that curb the appetite of the cancer cells.. In this case, a targeted drug therapy most often used is Tykerb (Lapitinab).
At some point in the therapy, radiation may complete the treatments. Patients with the Her-2 gene factor can be expected to continue testing and may need follow-up treatments throughout lifetime.
BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 inherited gene mutation
A gene called BRCA, breast cancer abnormal, can be passed down through female blood relatives who had breast cancer before age 50. The risk can pass down from either side of the family.
However not all family members will carry the inherited BRCA abnormal gene. If the BRCA1 or BRCA2 is present, the risk increases if there is both breast and ovarian cancer, (especially if one person has both), if pancreatic, colon or thyroid cancers, if women in the family have had cancer in both breast, if people are of Eastern Europe descent or African American with breast cancer at age 35 or younger and if a man in the family has had breast cancer, are a part of the health history.
Read more on the BRCA gene by clicking here.
Resources and References
http://www.cancerquest.org/oncogene-table
National Cancer Institute - Breast Cancer Treatment
Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Treatment - National Cancer Institute
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