HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Am I the only cynic re drug companies and cancer?

Brenda_D · 06-04-2007, 08:41 PM

I know what the OP means when looking at "44%" and then finding that it's really meaning a few months.
I was so happy to learn about Herceptin and how it's viewed as a "wonder drug" for Her2 positives. Then I looked at stats and find for metastatic bc, the benefit is months.
"Patients treated with chemotherapy plus trastuzumab had an overall survival (OS) advantage as compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone (25.1 months vs. 20.3 months, P = .05). "
But! I also read here and elsewhere about ladies that have received much more time, even years. So that gives me some faith and reason to take the Herceptin.
I also look toward Tykerb as something I can try later if need be.
But looking at stats (and yes I know stats don't mean squat smetimes), and seeing that it's only giving an average of maybe 5 to 6 months longer than not using it. It does make your world crash a little.
I am very saddened about Sandy's passing, but I will continue to read this forum, and yes, it is a mixed bag of both hope and sadness.
I used to read the BCmets site but had to quit because so many were passing that I became depressed reading there, and have to limit how often I visit the forum.
This disease really sucks.

06-04-2007, 08:41 PM	#16
Brenda_D Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 368	I know what the OP means when looking at "44%" and then finding that it's really meaning a few months. I was so happy to learn about Herceptin and how it's viewed as a "wonder drug" for Her2 positives. Then I looked at stats and find for metastatic bc, the benefit is months. "Patients treated with chemotherapy plus trastuzumab had an overall survival (OS) advantage as compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone (25.1 months vs. 20.3 months, P = .05). " But! I also read here and elsewhere about ladies that have received much more time, even years. So that gives me some faith and reason to take the Herceptin. I also look toward Tykerb as something I can try later if need be. But looking at stats (and yes I know stats don't mean squat smetimes), and seeing that it's only giving an average of maybe 5 to 6 months longer than not using it. It does make your world crash a little. I am very saddened about Sandy's passing, but I will continue to read this forum, and yes, it is a mixed bag of both hope and sadness. I used to read the BCmets site but had to quit because so many were passing that I became depressed reading there, and have to limit how often I visit the forum. This disease really sucks.