Genes and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is often discussed as a general condition, but there are several different
types that require different treatments.
One way to distinguish breast cancer cells is through your genes. When youre diagnosed
with breast cancer, your doctor will test the cancerous cells to determine their genetic
makeup.
Read through to learn what it means if the genes in your cancer cells have more HER2
protein than they should.
Part 2 of 9: Basics
HER2 Basics
HER2 is a protein that stimulates the growth of breast cancer cells. It can be found in
your blood and urine. Sometimes its referred to as a tumor marker.
Tumor markers like HER2 cant be used for cancer diagnosis, but they can provide other
important information. For example, the presence of HER2 can help your doctor predict
how your breast cancer is likely to respond to treatment.
Part 3 of 9: Occurrence
How Many Are HER2-Positive?
The Mayo Clinic estimates that about 20 percent of breast cancers are HER2-positive.
Younger women are more likely to be HER2-positive than older women.
HER2-positive breast cancer tends to be more aggressive and to spread more quickly than
other cancers. Thats why its important to find out if the cancer cells in your body
contain this protein.