[Lala]

Jojo

I hope that you are stable and doing well. My thoughts are with you. I can share my experience of Avastin with you. I was initially diagnosed with mets. After meeting with 3 different oncologists to discuss all the details of being ‘stage 4’ I chose a trial. My reasoning was simple, I learned the more options you have in ‘treating the cancer’ the better it is for you. I felt this trial offered an opportunity to have great care and a cutting edge drug.

My first line of treatment was a Monoclonal line with No chemo.

I was on the Herceptin Avastin Trial for 6 months. I did have very good partial response to this and a great quality of life while on the drugs. Avastin has a few side effects such as nose bleeds, fatigue, and headaches. The most serious side effect is high blood pressure, although lucky for me I did not have this. I did ultimately break stable after the 6 months then moved to a chemotherapy line of treatment.

In my opinion, you need to look at the whole picture. Ask how extensive is your tumor burden and where are the mets. What changes occurred from last scan meaning the rate of growth?

I would also ask questions about the trial. What phase is this trial? How many are currently enrolled and if any data has been released in interim. Being in a trial can offer great health care as your are watched over very carefully. It sounds like a very interesting trial.

Wishing you the best