Mrs K came to China from the US five months ago. She finished her morning Chinese lesson and got ready to visit the United Family New Hope Oncology Center for her final chemotherapy treatment. Her family came to the center with her, and the center's medical staff had prepared flowers to celebrate that special day.
Mrs K was diagnosed in October 2010 with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer. She underwent surgery in the US and was told to engage in chemotherapy treatment for a year. She came to China for work and chose to do the rest of her follow-up treatments at the New Hope Oncology Center, where the spacious, warm environment offered the same high-quality medical services she would have enjoyed back home.
Her experience shows that early, targeted treatment and positive cooperation with an experienced medical team can lead to cure. In fact, about 80 percent of HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer patients have been cured.
HER2-positive breast cancer is aggressive, easily recurs and migrates, and usually inspires a poor prognosis. Out of every 10 breast cancer patients, about two or three have HER2-positive breast cancer.
Before the advent of targeted treatments, HER2-positive breast cancer was a formidable challenge for doctors. Studies have shown that conventional treatments can only allow HER2-positive patients to live with their cancer for half as long as HER2-negative patients. In recent years, molecular targeted therapy has allowed HER2-positive patients to live as long as HER2-negative patients. In addition, targeted drug therapy delivered to the HER2 protein only attacks tumor cells without harming normal cells. This results in a better physical condition and quality of life for these patients.
Derick Lau, MD PhD
Group Director of Oncology, United Family New Hope Oncology Center
Dr. Derick Lau obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and a doctoral degree in Pharmacology/Toxicology from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). He received a degree in Medicine from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
He was appointed as an assistant professor of Oncology/Hematology at the UC Davis School of Medicine and was subsequently promoted to the position of Professor (1991-2010).
Lau has devoted over 20 years to basic and clinical cancer research. He has published numerous scientific papers on cancer biology and treatment.
Lau speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese and the Chao Zhou dialect.