Weekly Taxol Best for Follow-up Care |
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trip2 
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 Topic: Weekly Taxol Best for Follow-up CarePosted: Aug 03 2008 at 7:35am |
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http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/new_research/20080417c.jsp
"Women whose breast cancer may have spread survive a bit longer with weekly infusions of the drug Taxol than less-frequent treatments or treatment with a similar drug, researchers reported on Wednesday."
Thanks to Connie for bringing this to our attention, I did find one article and am looking for more. Some of the links you cannot read w/o subscribing. I have seen links to articles from a few years back regarding this so would be interested why they changed this or on what grounds.
I decided to make this a new subject so that all would see if you miss Connie's thread. This could be very important.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 03 2008 at 8:00am |
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Pam,
That sidebar article as to (question to ask your onc about the benefits), on the article will be one of the questions that I add to "OUR QUESTIONS". Lori received Taxotere every 3 weeks 6 times, where as many of the women here report getting it after the AC and for 4 times, sometimes 6.
I'm with Connie. Look at the gals who are 17-20 years out from dx with tnbc. They did it weekly. Children dx with leukemia, have chemo every week for 3 years if a male, and for females every week for 2 years. Pretty rough way to go if you are an adult and have to work, or have little ones to care for, or no one to help you. However, 1 year to extend your life for as many as 20-21?
Do we have a survey as to the dosage..weekly/bi-weekly/every 3 weeks/number of tx's, etc.? I still am not familiar as to how to create the polls. It woud be interesting to have.....if everyone posting on the site with any frequency would fill it out.
There are some individuals in the medical profession who do frequent this site.
Nancy
It does state for bc+, however, that is what TNBC's receive. Edited by Nancy - Aug 03 2008 at 8:10am |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 03 2008 at 3:29pm |
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Excellent eyes Nancy!
If I recall didn't the article say they could do this for those at high risk?
I may be confusing it with something else.
I can try setting up a poll if no one else does, good idea.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 03 2008 at 3:55pm |
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Pam,
Yes it does say for women whose bc may have spread survive a bit longer with weekly infusions of the drug Taxol than less-frequent tx's or tx with a similar drug.
However, it also says that the chance of surviving and being free of bc after 5 years was 27% higer among women who received 12 weekly treatments with Taxol, compared to standard care with the drug being given every 3 weeks for 12 weeks.
So, why aren't the gals getting this weekly from the initial dx??? This makes no sense to wait until they have mets, does it? it says this represents a new option for women whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Nancy
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 03 2008 at 4:22pm |
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Hi Nancy,
The article does make it sound like a option for those just diagnosed w/positive nodes or no nodes but considered high risk.
I have no idea. I would love to ask my Onc but I don't think I see him until September.
Hugs,
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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cg---
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Joined: Jul 20 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1379 |
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Posted: Aug 03 2008 at 5:06pm |
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Everything I have read (since I wanted it for myself) suggested there was the increased survival rate especially for high risk, I had 3 positive nodes, high-grade tumor, high Ki-67, high S-phase, mutation of p53 - all making me a good candidate. Because since I fought to get the radiation with a 5-6% increased survival after mastectomy - I surely fought to get the 27% increased survival with the 12 weekly Taxol. What I think may be more of an issue is increased costs - 12 times using the intravenous, premedications etc, nurse, pharmacy, etc.
I still believe in my heart that weekly is the way to go with breast cancer especially our type - high grade, very fast division of cells, rapid life cycles. A nice therapeutic level of chemo to kill off the cancer cells even before they think of multiplying or spreading.
I will ask when I see my oncologist on Wednesday.
Connie
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myjourney
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Posted: Aug 03 2008 at 6:36pm |
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I am so thankful for this post! I am going to talk to my Onc on Wed, when I go in for my second of four of AC. After that I am scheduled for 8 rounds, every week of Taxol. I am going to print this article and ask him about it. I cannot believe I am saying this, but that small percentage more, I want, and I want four more weeks of chemo. sh*t!
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33 year old
1.8 cm tumor/Node Neg Lumpectomy 7/1/08 BRCA 1 & 2 Negative AC DONE!! 9/17/08 Four of 'em Taxotere done! 11 of 12 ~1/31/08 33 radiation My blog: heathersjourneytohealth.blogspot. |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 5:33am |
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Connie,
Are you saying that you did have the 12 weekly Taxol?
Nancy
Lost the first post!!
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 6:22am |
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Connie you have so much information in that pretty brain of yours.
I say patoodie on the costs, 27% increase in survival, who wouldn't want that???
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 6:28am |
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Heather and Connie, let us know what you guys find out Wednesday and thanks,
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Nancy
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 6:39am |
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Pam,
When I printed that article, the sidebar feature of it did not print, so I just wrote down the question we will want to use in "OUR Questions". Wonder why it didn't print? Think it came from bc.org.
Nancy
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cg---
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 6:46am |
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Dear Nancy,
No....they would not give it to me in Canada because they do not deviate from their treatment protocol! My ex-oncologist REFUSED to look at anything I brought or to answer any of my questions because he had been an oncologist for 25 years and I had only had breast cancer for 6 weeks! He was extremely upset when I asked any questions - and asked if I was going to ask questions every visit...and I told him "only the ones I want answers to?" He just wanted me to accept my fate, not blame myself when it comes back, and know I still had breast cancer. I thanked him for his insight and suggested he not get a job as a motivational speaker. We broke up after that.
Anytime I want to know something I find an American contact and they contact a specialist in the field I have questions about.
Love,
Connie
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Nancy
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 6:59am |
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Dear Connie,
What an arrogant fool he is
 Like we have said, if they don't want to listen to you and the concerns you have, as to information you have...fire them!! Lori and CalGal have given me more questions to add, and one from Lori was "do you consult with a team of doctors as to the best current treatments"? She said if they don't, move on to another doctor. However, you ladies in Canada are not able to do that. Loved you response to him
 Every gal on this site should memorize that one.  As I said before, who do they think they are dealing with? This is the 21st century, with information only a click away. Bet that drives some of them crazy!!
Love,
Nancy
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myjourney
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 7:06am |
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What an outrage! You know before BC, I was a firm believer in Micheal Moore's film about the American health insurer's. But you know what, and to my complete shock, ME, a self-employed massage therapist, has been taken care of here in America, and I am so thankful that I live here now that I read more and more of the Canadian health care system. My husband is Canadian, and we always said if something like, one of us was dying we'd consider moving to Canada. Now, each and every time I get off the phone with my insurer, I am relieved and taken care of.
What a horrible Oncologist! I hope that you have found a better one. Mine is just the opposite. He welcomes questions. In fact that first fact finding month, I talked to him at least three times a week. He calls each and EVERY patient, (this is a doc that has worked in Seattle for 20+ years and has only taken 1 two wk vacation in all that time) every night, until he is done returning calls. He is ALWAYS available, even when he isn't working, to return my calls. He is the most amazing doctor I have ever met. So, I can't say enough, of an opposite that lame *ss doctor was and good for you for breaking up with him!! Edited by myjourney - Aug 04 2008 at 7:07am |
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33 year old
1.8 cm tumor/Node Neg Lumpectomy 7/1/08 BRCA 1 & 2 Negative AC DONE!! 9/17/08 Four of 'em Taxotere done! 11 of 12 ~1/31/08 33 radiation My blog: heathersjourneytohealth.blogspot. |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 7:15am |
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Heather you have found a doc like alot of us would like to find. He sounds very dedicated to his patients but good heavens he does need a little vacation now and then.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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krisa
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 7:18am |
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Edited by krisa - Oct 09 2008 at 7:21am |
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myjourney
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 7:24am |
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IVF is expensive! This whole thing is expensive, but manageable. There are TONS of great organizations that help women get through their cancer treatments, in America. I have a friend that four years ago, a single mom, she got tongue and neck cancer. Her mortgage was paid for a few months because she simply couldn't. There are many ways to get help, if you need it!
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33 year old
1.8 cm tumor/Node Neg Lumpectomy 7/1/08 BRCA 1 & 2 Negative AC DONE!! 9/17/08 Four of 'em Taxotere done! 11 of 12 ~1/31/08 33 radiation My blog: heathersjourneytohealth.blogspot. |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 7:36am |
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Oh Heather what a wonderful story to hear about your friend getting the help she needed, I hope she is doing well now.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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cg---
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 7:53am |
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Heather,
My husband is American from Wisconsin, living here, and he believes there must be a type of system developed between socialized medicine (the long wait times, shortage of doctors, lack of cutting edge technology) and HMOs that have driven the cost of American healthcare out of the reach of many working class Americans - only for the sole purpose of adding more gold to their already bulging profit pockets.
Many Canadians come back here after they retire from their jobs in the States or suffer from a serious illness. As Canadians, they are entitled to that and should exercise that right because I know that generations of their Canadian families have paid very high taxes for that privilege.
Looking at both sides for over 30 years.
Connie
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cg---
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 8:27am |
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Nancy,
There is one thing I feel should be added to the list of questions if you think it has merit.
When someone is attending a teaching or university hospital and they have chosen a surgeon, always take the time to read the consent form they give you in the piles of preadmission papers. They absolutely hate when a patient takes the time to read those papers which give them the right to do anything and not be accountable for it! Review, ask questions, get clarification on anything you do not understand or agree to. For instance if you want to have your own blood available for surgery - make sure you can make arrangements for that.
For instance....I Mrs. TNBC, agree to a modified radical mastectomy by Dr. Master Cutter, or his designate, or some other wording indicating a student may be performing the surgery under the supervision of Dr. Master Cutter. I crossed out the part about a designate or alternate...
The wonderful surgeon I had chosen for his skill had his training resident working with him. I wrote on the consent form the surgery was to be performed only by surgeon indicated on the form. No alternates, or whatever without my approval. No substitutions.
If we research a medical professional for their known area of expertise - why would we consent to a random person with unknown skills treating us ? -The reason is because we do not READ the FINE PRINT and many unsuspecting patients have outcomes different than they expected.
I only found this out after my son had surgery at the world reknown Hospital for Sick Children supposedly by the top guy in his field (the outcome was not ideal) the resident had cut too much bone. I did not realize this until the postoperative visit when the resident saw me and told me he had done the surgery. After that less than ideal outcome - two top surgeons in Toronto said it was not fixable. It was ultimately fixed perfectly by a Canadian surgeon who is a Diplomat in Reconstructive Surgery - trained in the United States. He is the only one in Canada that does this kind of work - and we traveled across the country for the appointments and surgery and no one else but him did the operation. The results are amazing....and so are the surgeon's skills - because he actually did the procedure...not a random alternate.
Never assume anything.
Just my humble opinion,
Connie
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