Breast Cancer

Know your options

A diagnosis of breast cancer may be life changing for you, your family and friends.

Getting the facts about your diagnosis and available treatments will help you make the best decisions based on your situation. It is important to tell your doctor and nurse how you prefer to receive information and how much you want to know.

Don’t be afraid to voice your questions and concerns as this will help you and your health care team form a partnership in your care.

On the following pages, you will find information on HER2-positive breast cancer, and Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the treatments available from Roche as well as some useful resources for you to download.

To help your understanding of breast cancer download the booklet: What does my pathology report mean? by clicking here.

About HER2-positive breast cancer

In New Zealand about 1 in 5 women with breast cancer are HER2-positive.

HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein that sits on the surface of all normal cells in your body and helps to regulate the way cells grow and divide into other cells. In HER2-positive breast cancer, too much HER2 is present or expressed and the cells become abnormal. These abnormal cells multiply rapidly and produce more abnormal cells resulting in a tumour.

There are a number of Roche medicines available for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Some of these medicines are funded by PHARMAC and some are unfunded which means you will have to pay for them. Click on the links below for more information.

About Hormone Receptor-Positive (HR+) breast cancer

Oestrogen and progesterone hormone receptors are found on the surface of healthy breast cells and help to control cell growth. In about 75% of breast cancers, there are more of these hormone receptors than normal, which fuels the growth of cancer. This means the surface of the HR+ breast cancer cells have either extra:
● Oestrogen receptors or
● Progesterone receptors or
● Oestrogen and progesterone receptors.

Itovebi^® (inavolisib) is a Roche targeted medicine used for the treatment of adults with HR+, HER2-negative breast cancer whose tumours also have a PIK3CA-mutation.

It is not funded by PHARMAC which means you would have to pay for it. Click on the link below for more information.

Itovebi^®
(inavolisib)

For the treatment of adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer

find out more

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, Kadcyla may be harmful to an unborn baby. If there is a need for Kadcyla treatment when you are pregnant, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits to you and the unborn baby. You should use effective contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while you are being treated with Kadcyla and for 7 months after stopping treatment.

If you become pregnant while receiving Kadcyla or within 7 months following the last dose of Kadcyla, please contact your oncologist for medical advice. Report the pregnancy to Roche Patient Safety at nz.drugsafety@roche.com or 0800 276 243.

Additional information will be requested during a Kadcyla-exposed pregnancy and the first year of the infant’s life. This will enable Roche to better understand the safety of Kadcyla and to provide appropriate information to health authorities, healthcare providers, and patients.

For additional information, please refer to the Kadcyla Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz

Kadcyla^{^®} (trastuzumab emtansine), 100mg and 160mg vials, is a Prescription Medicine used to treat patients with early breast cancer following surgery and patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (i.e. the cancer has spread to areas near the breast or to other parts of the body). It is only used for patients whose tumour has tested positive to HER2.

Tell your doctor if: you have had a serious infusion-related reaction to Herceptin (trastuzumab); you have a history of heart problems; you have any breathing or lung problems; you have liver problems; you have bleeding problems; you are receiving anti-coagulant treatment (blood thinning medication); you are allergic to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes; you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or plan to become pregnant or breast-feed; you are taking any other medicines.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: swelling of your lips, face, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing; swelling of other parts of your body such as your hands, legs, ankles or feet; weight gain of more than 2 kilograms in 24 hours after an infusion; shortness of breath (especially when lying down, being woken from your sleep or when exercising), wheezing or trouble breathing; abnormal or irregular heartbeat; rash, itching or hives on the skin; flushing (warm, red) skin; pain or swelling at the site of injection; feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting, diarrhoea; pain or discomfort (including stomach pain, back pain, chest or neck pain); fever or chills; headache; fatigue or tiredness; cough; dizziness or fainting; jaundice; dark urine; or loss of appetite. Possible common side effects may also include: getting tired more easily after light physical activity such as walking; insomnia (difficulty sleeping); weakness, soreness in muscles and/or joints; numbness or weakness of arms and legs; bleeding or bruising more easily than normal; nose bleeds, bleeding from gums; feeling dizzy, tired, looking pale; flu and/or cold like symptoms, frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers; dry mouth; taste disturbance or loss of taste; constipation, vomiting, indigestion or diarrhoea; or eye problems such as producing more tears, swollen runny eyes or conjunctivitis.

Kadcyla has risks and benefits. Ask your Oncologist if Kadcyla is right for you.

Use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For further information on Kadcyla, please talk to your health professional or visit www.medsafe.govt.nz for Kadcyla Consumer Medicine Information.

Kadcyla is a PHARMAC funded medicine for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and from 1 July 2022, for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer in patients who meet pre-defined criteria.

HER2 PV Pregnancy Program

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, Phesgo may be harmful to an unborn baby. If there is a need for Phesgo treatment when you are pregnant, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits to you and the unborn baby. You should use effective contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while you are being treated with Phesgo and for 7 months after stopping treatment.

If you become pregnant while receiving Phesgo, or within 7 months following the last dose of Phesgo, please contact your oncologist for medical advice. Report the pregnancy to Roche Patient Safety at nz.drugsafety@roche.com or 0800 276 243.

Additional information will be requested during a Phesgo-exposed pregnancy and the first year of the infant’s life. This will enable Roche to better understand the safety of Phesgo and to provide appropriate information to health authorities, healthcare providers, and patients.

For additional information, please refer to the Phesgo Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz

Phesgo^{^®} Phesgo^® (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) 600 mg/600 mg and 1200 mg/600 mg solution for subcutaneous injection is a Prescription Medicine used for early breast cancer, either before or after surgery and for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Ask your doctor if Phesgo is right for you.

Phesgo is a funded medicine for metastatic breast cancer for patients who meet defined criteria from 1 December 2025. A prescription charge and doctor’s fees apply.

Phesgo is an unfunded medicine for neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Phesgo:

● talk to your health professional; or
● visit medsafe.govt.nz for Phesgo Consumer Medicine Information; or
● visit cancertreatments.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

Phesgo has risks and benefits.Possible less serious side effects include: constipation, indigestion or stomach pain, sore mouth, throat or gut, fatigue or tiredness, getting tired more easily after light physical activity such as walking, shortness of breath especially when lying down or being woken from your sleep with shortness of breath, nail problems especially inflammation where the nail meets the skin, hair loss, feeling dizzy, tired, looking pale, hot flushes, frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers, nose bleeds, heartburn, eye problems such as producing more tears, insomnia (trouble sleeping), weak, numb, tingling, prickling or painful sensations mainly affecting the feet and legs, dry, itchy or acne like skin, loss of appetite, loss of or altered taste, joint or muscle pain, muscle
weakness, sore throat, red, sore or runny nose, flu-like symptoms, and fever which may lead to infection of the ear, nose, or throat, pain at the injection site, reddened skin (erythema) and bruising at the injection site, general pain in the body, arms, legs and/or belly including sharp jabbing, throbbing, freezing or burning pain, feeling pain from something which should not be painful, such as a light touch, reduced ability to feel changes in temperature, loss of balance or coordination.

Do not use Phesgo if: you are pregnant or if you are allergic to pertuzumab, trastuzumab, or any of the ingredients in Phesgo.

Tell your doctor if: you have a history of heart problems such as heart failure, abnormal beating of the heart, poorly controlled blood pressure or have had a recent heart attack, you have previously been treated with chemotherapy medicines known as anthracyclines (e.g. doxorubicin) or radiation therapy (these medicines or treatment can damage heart muscle and increase the risk of heart problems with Phesgo), you take any medicines for any other condition, you are allergic to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms: allergic or anaphylactic reactions: including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing, or swelling of other parts of your body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing, rash, itching or hives on the skin, feeling sick (nausea), fever or chills, headache or feeling tired; injection related reactions: these may be mild or more severe and may include feeling sick or vomiting, fever, chills, feeling tired, headache, loss of appetite, joint and muscle pains and hot flushes; heart problems: slower or faster heartbeat than usual, fluttering of the heart, abnormal or irregular heartbeat, cough, shortness of breath, swelling (fluid retention) in your legs or arms; tumour lysis syndrome (where cancer cells die quickly): kidney problems – signs include weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue and confusion, heart problems – signs include fluttering of the heart or a faster or slower heartbeat, seizures (fits), vomiting or diarrhoea and tingling in the mouth, hands or feet; severe chest pain: spreading out to the arms, neck, shoulder or back and diarrhoea: may be mild or moderate.

All trademarks mentioned herein are protected by law. Roche Products (New Zealand) Limited, Auckland.

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, Herceptin and Perjeta may be harmful to an unborn baby. If there is a need for Herceptin and Perjeta treatment when you are pregnant, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits to you and the unborn baby. You should use effective contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while you are being treated with Herceptin and Perjeta and for 7 months after stopping treatment.

If you become pregnant while receiving Herceptin and Perjeta or within 7 months following the last dose of Herceptin and Perjeta, please contact your oncologist for medical advice. Report the pregnancy to Roche Patient Safety at nz.drugsafety@roche.com or 0800 276 243.

Additional information will be requested during a Herceptin and Perjeta-exposed pregnancy and the first year of the infant’s life. This will enable Roche to better understand the safety of Herceptin and Perjeta and to provide appropriate information to health authorities, healthcare providers, and patients.

For additional information, please refer to the Herceptin and Perjeta Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz

Perjeta^{^®} (pertuzumab), 420mg vial, is a Prescription Medicine used to treat breast cancer before surgery (neoadjuvant), after surgery (adjuvant) or metastatic (spreading) breast cancer. It is only used for patients whose tumour has tested positive to HER2.

Tell your doctor if: you have a history of heart problems such as heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias (an abnormal or rapid heartbeat), poorly controlled high blood pressure, or a recent heart attack; you have previously received chemotherapy treatment with medicines known as anthracyclines; you have experienced heart problems during previous treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab); you have inflammation of the digestive tract, e.g. sore mouth or diarrhoea; you are allergic to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes; you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or plan to become pregnant or breast-feed; you are currently taking any other medicines.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing; swelling of other parts of your body such as your hands or feet; shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing; severe chest pain, spreading out to the arms, neck, shoulder or back; abnormal or irregular heartbeat; rash, itching or hives on the skin; feeling sick (nausea); headache; fever or chills or severe coughing. Possible common side effects may also include: diarrhoea (loose or frequent stools) or constipation; indigestion or stomach pain; sore mouth, throat or gut; getting tired more easily after light physical activity; shortness of breath especially when lying down or being woken from your sleep with shortness of breath; nail problems; hair loss; feeling dizzy, tired, looking pale; hot flushes; frequent infections with fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers; nose bleeds; eye problems such as producing more tears; insomnia (trouble sleeping); weak, numb, tingling, prickling or painful sensations mainly affecting the feet and legs; loss of appetite; loss of or altered taste; joint or muscle pain or muscle weakness.

Perjeta has risks and benefits. Ask your oncologist if Perjeta is right for you. Use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For further information on Perjeta, please talk to your health professional or visit www.medsafe.govt.nz for Perjeta Consumer Medicine Information.

Perjeta is a funded medicine for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who meet pre-defined criteria.

Perjeta is not a PHARMAC funded medicine for the neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer.

A prescription charge and normal Doctor’s fees may apply.

ITOVEBI^® (inavolisib), 3mg or 9mg film coated tablet, is a Prescription Medicine used for hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer, where, following surgery, it has:
• spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced), or to other parts of the body (metastatic), and
• come back during or after treatment with other anti-cancer medicines, and
• a change in a gene called ‘PIK3CA.’

Ask your doctor if ITOVEBI is right for you

ITOVEBI is an unfunded medicine. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about ITOVEBI:
• talk to your health professional; or
• visit www.medsafe.govt.nz for ITOVEBI Consumer Medicine Information; or
• visit www.roche.co.nz or www.cancertreatments.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

ITOVEBI has risks and benefits.

Possible common side effects include: Stomach problems: stomach pain, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting; Mouth problems: inflammation of the lining of the mouth (pain, redness, swelling or mouth ulcers), disturbed sense of taste; Eye problems: dry eye; Skin problems: rash, dry skin, pale skin, unusual bruising or bleeding; Urinary problems: Pain when weeing (urinating); General: high blood sugar, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, weight loss, hair thinning or hair loss, general unwell feeling, diarrhoea (liquid or watery poo, often with tummy pain and gas).

Do not use ITOVEBI if: you are allergic to inavolisib or any of the other ingredients in this medicine, or if you are pregnant or you are breastfeeding. Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of diabetes or high blood sugar, including during a previous pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, as ITOVEBI can harm your baby. Tell your doctor if you have other medical conditions or use other medicines.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: symptoms of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) such as finding it hard to breathe, nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick) which lasts more than 2 hours, stomach pain, feeling very thirsty or dry mouth, weeing more often than usual or passing greater amounts of urine than usual, blurred vision, unusually increased appetite, weight loss, fruity-smelling breath, flushed face and dry skin, feeling unusually sleepy or tired; symptoms of Inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis) such as pain, redness, swelling or ulcers; symptoms of diarrhoea such as loose or watery poo, tummy pain and gas.

All trademarks mentioned herein are protected by law.

Breast Cancer

Know your options

About HER2-positive breast cancer

Kadcyla®(trastuzumab emtansine)

Phesgo® (pertuzumab & trastuzumab)

Perjeta®(pertuzumab)

About Hormone Receptor-Positive (HR+) breast cancer

Itovebi® (inavolisib)

You are about to leave the site to one that is not controlled or developed by Roche Products (New Zealand) Ltd.

Kadcyla^{^®}
(trastuzumab emtansine)

Phesgo^{^®}
(pertuzumab & trastuzumab)

Perjeta^{^®}
(pertuzumab)

Itovebi^®
(inavolisib)