Understanding HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment Options

While many diseases have been eradicated thanks to advances in medicine, cancer remains a significant challenge with no complete cure yet. Early detection is vital, as delayed diagnosis can lead to severe outcomes. Breast cancer affects many women, with 1 in 5 women potentially facing this disease, and ignoring symptoms can be fatal.

HER2-negative breast cancer is a prevalent subtype, characterized by the absence of HER2 proteins on cancer cells. Unlike HER2-positive cancer, where excess HER2 promotes rapid cell growth, HER2-negative tumors lack these proteins, affecting repair and growth mechanisms in cells.

The primary step in combating this cancer type is early detection of symptoms.

Symptoms to watch for include swelling or changes in breast shape, skin irritation or rashes, nipple pain, unusual nipple discharge, and redness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin. Recognizing these signs and undergoing screening tests can improve prevention and outcomes.

Hormonal Therapy: When the tumor is estrogen receptor (ER) positive, hormonal therapy can be effective by blocking estrogen, which fuels cancer growth.

Chemotherapy: Drugs such as taxanes, anthracyclines, and platinum-based agents are commonly used to treat HER2-negative breast cancer, aiming to destroy malignant cells.

Radiotherapy: Often performed post-surgery, this treatment uses high-energy rays to eliminate residual cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence, also alleviating pain caused by cancer.