(speechless) - Page 2

AlaskaAngel · 01-03-2009, 11:26 AM

I'm bringing this old thread forward briefly for consideration of another piece of misinformation that remains online at Mayo. I think Mayo is a great place for treatment, but the problem of misinformation online is still there. Granted, the link I'm concerned about indicates it is a response dated 2002, but for those who are new to bc or less familiar with the lingo or English language, I still think this dated stuff should be designated as OUT OF DATE INFO, or removed. I think this is the same doc that is quoted who was involved with the previous problem that was removed. The thrust of his commentary here (that treatment generally needs to start in 12 weeks) is fine, but the complete lack of any mention of trastuzumab as well as the legitimate exploration of ovarian ablation/hormonal manipulation as a possible alternative just doesn't cut it.

http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/expert...&ss=22&id=1780

"Chemotherapy and tamoxifen remain the standard and unwavering recommendations for this patient."

Comments?

-AlaskaAngel

suzan w · 01-03-2009, 06:40 PM

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???!!! Yikes!

Rich66 · 01-03-2009, 07:01 PM

This must be why so many medical professionals warn about information "from the internet".

sassy · 01-03-2009, 08:53 PM

I clicked on the link to the doctor and posted a request to remove the outdated and now erroneous treatment protocol, listing a link to the post and a link to this thread. I also requested a reply to my message if possible. We'll see if anything happens.

Maybe if everyone would post a message to the doctor it might get some attention.

Lets try to effect a change once again!

AlaskaAngel · 01-03-2009, 11:29 PM

To correct my own comments -- this doctor's post is from the Ask the Expert section of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, not Mayo Clinic this time, under Oncolink.

I too sent a request in for correction, so let's hope it doesn't take as long for Abramson to deal with it as it took the Mayo Clinic last time.

A.A.

AlaskaAngel · 01-14-2009, 05:24 PM

As of today, no change has been made online in this link:

http://www.oncolink.org/experts/arti...&ss=22&id=1780

Quoted in full to preserve accuracy of content for the purposes of this thread:

Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"

I have been diagnosed with invasive, stage T1c N1 M0, high-grade breast cancer. I've had lumpectomy and axillary node dissection with 3 positive nodes. My receptors are positive as well as the HER2/neu positive. I am 7 weeks post surgery and have not yet started chemo as I am not totally convinced that I want to have it. The doctor said that chemo should be started 3-6 weeks post surgery. I figure it will be about 2 more weeks before I'm done researching alternative possibilities (I just started) to see if I can avoid the chemo and RT. My question is, what negative consequences am I facing by delaying chemo until I am confident that it is the only way out?? I have not been able to find info on this subject, and I feel that I have the right to explore other options without accepting the first thing that is offered to me. Please explain.

Kevin R. Fox, MD, Assistant Director, Clinical Affairs and Associate Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds:

In general, chemotherapy should be started within 12 weeks of the diagnosis. There is probably little harm in waiting a couple of additional weeks, but it must be understood that nothing except chemotherapy and tamoxifen, together, have been researched well enough to be considered "adequate" alternatives.

Chemotherapy and tamoxifen remain the standard and unwavering recommendations for this patient. Also, after a lumpectomy, the addition of radiation therapy is considered the standard of care. Without radiation, the risk of a local recurrence is very high and the addition of radiation therapy decreases the chance of a recurrence significantly.