HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - bc treatment followed by metabolic syndrome

AlaskaAngel · 09-11-2010, 07:46 PM

Hi Laurel,

It is. We want the best possible treatment, and we need to know that whoever is planning it isn't so specialized that they are so focused on just blasting the cancer that they haven't investigated and tracked more thoroughly what the "net" effect is long-term in terms of the endocrine system and our metabolism.

Because most early stage breast cancer patients survive more than 10 years, the two aspects that are particularly important are the target patient population (the vast majority of bc patients are over age 50 and subject to complications like metabolic syndrome), and the risk versus benefit for patients with early stage bc (the majority of whom are NOT at risk for recurrence to begin with). We really NEED endocrinologists to have genuine authority as full members of the team (our tumor board) that makes the initial recommendations for our treatment plan, so that everyone understands who is truthfully most likely to get any benefit and who is not, and why.

This is yet another reason why it would be good to at least consider using trastuzumab alone rather than including chemotherapy, since it is the chemotherapy that is putting us at risk for later development of such problems as metabolic syndrome -- and weight gain that is particularly difficult to reverse and is a major risk factor for recurrence.

AlaskaAngel

09-11-2010, 07:46 PM	#3
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Re: bc treatment followed by metabolic syndrome Hi Laurel, It is. We want the best possible treatment, and we need to know that whoever is planning it isn't so specialized that they are so focused on just blasting the cancer that they haven't investigated and tracked more thoroughly what the "net" effect is long-term in terms of the endocrine system and our metabolism. Because most early stage breast cancer patients survive more than 10 years, the two aspects that are particularly important are the target patient population (the vast majority of bc patients are over age 50 and subject to complications like metabolic syndrome), and the risk versus benefit for patients with early stage bc (the majority of whom are NOT at risk for recurrence to begin with). We really NEED endocrinologists to have genuine authority as full members of the team (our tumor board) that makes the initial recommendations for our treatment plan, so that everyone understands who is truthfully most likely to get any benefit and who is not, and why. This is yet another reason why it would be good to at least consider using trastuzumab alone rather than including chemotherapy, since it is the chemotherapy that is putting us at risk for later development of such problems as metabolic syndrome -- and weight gain that is particularly difficult to reverse and is a major risk factor for recurrence. AlaskaAngel __________________ Dx 2002 age 51 bc for granny, aunt, cousin, sister, mother. ER+/PR+/HER2+++, grade 3 IDC 1.9 cm, some DCIS, Stage 1, Grade 3 Lumpectomy, CAFx6 (no blood boosters), IMRT rads, 1 3/4 yr tamoxifen Rads necrosis BRCA 1 & 2 negative Trials: Early detection OVCA; 2004 low-dose testosterone for bc survivors Diet: Primarily vegetarian organic; metformin (no diabetes), vitamin D3 Exercise: 7 days a week, 1 hr/day No trastuzumab, no taxane, no AI NED Last edited by AlaskaAngel; 09-11-2010 at 07:50 PM..