Biological (targeted) treatment

At the moment, there is only one widely available targeted treatment for early breast cancer and this is Herceptin – also known as Trastuzumab.

You may be offered Herceptin if you are one of the 1 in 5 of breast cancer patients with the HER2 positive form of the disease. This is where the tumour has high levels of the HER2 receptor protein which help it grow.

Prescribed after chemotherapy, Herceptin’s job is to block HER2 and lower the risk of your breast cancer recurring.

Typical side effects of Herceptin are mild. You may get flu-like symptoms after each dose but there are medicines that will help these. Herceptin can, however, cause heart problems, so you will be monitored if you take this drug. If you already have heart problems, you may not be able to take Herceptin.