This article will review the causes and risk factors associated with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
HER2-positive breast cancer typically develops due to an overproduction of the HER2 gene.
These cells then stay in other areas of the body.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
When and why they eventually start to grow is not well understood.
However, a mutation or change to the HER2 gene is what causes too many HER2 proteins to develop.
One of these risk factors is being born female.
Although men can be diagnosed with breast cancer, the majority of breast cancer patients are female.
Unfortunately, that may never be known.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer HER2 status.
MedlinePlus.HER2 tumor marker test.
Riggio AI, Varley KE, Welm AL.The lingering mysteries of metastatic recurrence in breast cancer.Br J Cancer.
2021;124(1):13-26. doi: 10.1038/s41416-020-01161-4
National Cancer Institute.HER2 genetic link to breast cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breast cancer risk factors.
Moffit Cancer Center.HER2 positive breast cancer risk factors.
