Human Epidermal Growth Factor ( Her2 ) - 1153 Words

1.Introduction 1.1 Introduction Human epidermal growth factor (HER2) is a specialised protein that has the ability to control the growth and spread of certain cancers. Breast cancer is defined as HER2 positive (HER2+) when there is an extremely high level of HER2 receptors present within the cancerous tumour of the breast tissue (Macmillan, 2013). 1.2 Aims and objectives This report aims to give an overview on breast cancer focusing on the HER2+ sub-type of the disease; it includes an overview of aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. It will also include how the advances in stratified medicine have helped tailor treatment for patients suffering from the HER2+ form of breast cancer. 2.†¦show more content†¦Breast cancer has been the most common cancer in the UK since 1997, in 2011 alone it was accountable for 30% of all new cancer diagnosed in women (Cancer Research UK, 2014). Between 15-25% of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer will test positive for the over expression of the HER2 protein (Macmillan, 2014). The incidence of breast cancer in Northern Ireland is close to the average for developed countries (NI Cancer Registry, 2011). However for the past 20 years Northern Irelands incidence has been the lowest in the UK (Cancer Research UK, 2014). 3. Pathophysiology Like all cancers, breast cancer develops because of defects in the DNA of a single cell. Cancers arise when there is an accumulation of genetic mutations within genes that control cell growth and division or the repair of damaged DNA. This causes damage allowing cells to grow and divide uncontrollably forming a tumour. These mutations are called somatic mutations and are not inherited (GHR, 2007) In addition to these genetic changes researchers have identified many other factors that increase the risk of developing of breast cancer, these were previously mentioned. 4. Clinical Presentation The symptoms of breast cancer can be categorised into early stage