• HER connection
  • Her connection

    Discover a program designed to support patients with knowledge and information about HER2+ breast cancer.

    Three ways to connect:

  • Receive Updates
    Personalized information to support your treatment

  • Support Line
    Call 866.449.HER2 Nurses available 24/7

  • Online Live Chat
    Nurses available Monday-Friday, 8am EST to 8pm EST.

Breast Cancer Links

By selecting any of the links below, you will be going to a site that is not controlled by or affiliated with Genentech, Inc.

Unless otherwise indicated, Genentech, Inc. is neither affiliated with nor endorses any of the following organizations. The information provided by Genentech, or these organizations is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace your physician's medical advice. Many of these organizations can refer you to a local chapter for more information.

This is an incomplete listing of organizations that may have information available on breast cancer.

  • American Cancer Society
  • Comprehensive Web site with information for cancer patients, families, friends, survivors, professionals, and volunteers.
  • 1.800.227.2345
  • http://www.cancer.org
  • breastcancer.org
  • Web site dedicated to educational information on breast cancer. Offers live, online "Ask the Expert" chat sessions (prior transcripts are archived and available on the Web site).
  • http://www.breastcancer.org
  • Breast Cancer Network of Strength™
  • 1.800.221.2141 (24-hour hotline)
  • 1.800.986.9505 (24-hour hotline in Spanish)
  • YourShoes™ offers peer support, including a 24/7 hotline with real-time interpretation in more than 150 languages. Additional programs, services, multilingual publications, and a list of affiliates across the country are available online. All YourShoes services are conducted by breast cancer survivors.
  • http://www.networkofstrength.org
  • Cancer Care, Inc.
  • 1.800.813.HOPE (1.800.813.4673)
  • Offers free, professional help through counseling, education, referrals, and financial assistance.
  • http://www.cancercare.org
  • Cancer Information Service (National Cancer Institute)
  • 1.800.4.CANCER (1.800.422.6237)
  • National information network with links to several other Internet resources, including educational materials, news, clinical trials, etc.
  • http://cis.nci.nih.gov
  • ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Provides regularly updated information about federally and privately supported clinical research in human volunteers.
  • http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Health Talk
  • 1-206-352-4066
  • Dedicated to providing you with the latest information and connecting you directly to trusted experts on advanced treatments and disease management.
  • http://www.healthtalk.com
  • HER2 Support Group
  • 1.760.602.9178
  • A site designed by those and for those with HER2+ breast cancer. Find resources, news, and a community of professionals, volunteers, and fellow survivors.
  • http://www.HER2support.org
  • Living Beyond Breast Cancer
  • 1.888.753.5222
  • A nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life
  • http://www.lbbc.org
  • The Wellness Community
  • 1.888.793.WELL (1.888.793.9355)
  • Offering professionally led support groups, educational workshops, and mind/body programs to help patients regain a sense of control and restore hope.
  • http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

For other alternative resources, you may want to visit the following sites:

  • NeedyMeds
  • NeedyMeds is a place to learn about patient assistance programs and other programs designed to help those who can't afford their medicines. NeedyMeds is not a program but an information source.
  • http://www.needymeds.com
  • Patient Advocate Foundation
  • Patient Advocate Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that serves as an active liaison between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention, and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis through case managers, doctors, and attorneys. Patient Advocate Foundation seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
  • http://www.patientadvocate.org

Who is Herceptin for?

Herceptin is approved for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpressing, node-positive or node-negative (ER/PR-negative or with one high-risk feature)† breast cancer. Herceptin can be used several different ways:

  • As part of a treatment regimen including doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and either paclitaxel or docetaxel
  • With docetaxel and carboplatin
  • As a single agent following multi-modality anthracycline-based therapy

Herceptin in combination with paclitaxel is approved for the first-line treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Herceptin as a single agent is approved for treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer in patients who have received one or more chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease.

† High-risk is defined as ER/PR positive with one of the following features: tumor size >2 cm, age <35 years, or tumor grade 2 or 3.

What important safety information should I know about Herceptin?

Herceptin treatment can result in heart problems, including those without symptoms (reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (congestive heart failure). The risk and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both Herceptin and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline). Your doctor will stop or strongly consider stopping Herceptin if you have a significant drop in your heart function.

You should be monitored for decreased heart function before your first dose of Herceptin, and frequently during the time you are receiving Herceptin and after your last dose of Herceptin. If you must permanently or temporarily stop Herceptin due to heart problems, you should be monitored more frequently. In one study with Herceptin and certain types of chemotherapy, an inadequate blood supply to the heart occurred.

Some patients have had serious infusion reactions and lung problems; fatal infusion reactions have been reported. In most cases, these reactions occurred during or within 24 hours of receiving Herceptin. Your Herceptin infusion should be temporarily stopped if you have shortness of breath or very low blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor you until these symptoms go away. If you have a severe allergic reaction, swelling, lung problems, inflammation of the lung, or severe shortness of breath, your doctor may need to completely stop your Herceptin treatment.

Worsening of low white blood cell counts associated with chemotherapy has also occurred.

Herceptin can cause low amniotic fluid levels and harm to the fetus when taken by a pregnant woman.

The most common side effects associated with Herceptin were fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, rash, low white and red blood cells, and muscle pain.

Because everyone is different, it is not possible to predict what side effects any one person will have. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor.

Please see the Herceptin full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNINGS and additional important safety information.



Herceptin® (trastuzumab)Herceptin® (trastuzumab)

Adjuvant Care Is defined as additional treatment given after the main treatment plan to decrease the chance of recurrence. Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer can include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or biological therapy

Metastatic Breast Cancer Breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body; also referred to as invasive or infiltrating