Hello, this is Dr. David. I have read your question and am ready to help.

I am so sorry you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

did you just have a biopsy?

have you been set up for breast surgery yet? lumpectomy? lymph node dissection?

the surgery will tell much more about the size of the cancer and if cancer has spread to lymph nodes

you are correct, her-2/neu means the cancer is more aggressive than usual.

but your age at age 42 also means your breast cancer is very aggressive.

but it is not as bad compared to if your breast cancer was triple negative which is

ER negative, PR negative and her-2/neu negative

yes, it has a higher chance of spreading to lymph nodes and to the rest of the body compared to ER+, Her-2 negative breast cancers.

but you still need a mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection to see if any lymph nodes are involved with cancer.

that is another prognostic index.

if no lymph nodes contain breast cancer that is a point in your favor.

of the arm pit lymph node?

that is good, but you still need to have the mastectomy and lymph node dissection to know for sure if breast cancer is in the lymph node

yes, a sentinel lymph node dissection will tell for sure.

I understand.

don't be scared

it sounds like you are getting good and timely care in the UK

your doctors will give you the best treatment to increase to as high as possible your chances of cure.

no, your breast cancer will not spread in 4 weeks before your breast surgery