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Old 01-27-2012, 04:39 PM   #2
chrisy
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
Re: US Oncologists Confront Pressure to Curb Cancer Costs

I find this disturbing on many levels.

Yes, the issue of cost/benefit has to be addressed, but of course I take it personally that some bureaucrat in government or an insurance company will use "statistics" to decide whether I'm worth it. They will have no idea of what contribution I may be making to society during that time both monetarily and otherwise.

I also find it disturbing that there is little to no discussion here or "out there in the cost cutting world" of how to decrease the cost of developing and marketing these therapies - they cost so much because it takes years and years and years and years to find the right thing, and get it approved. Streamline and modernize the development and approval process. Only Dr. Esserman even comes close to discussing this.

Finally, I think its tragic that, just as science is revealing so many possibilities, that we will give up, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

there, I said it.
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial

5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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