HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - early Christmas present--10 yr overall & bc specific survival results just published!

AlaskaAngel · 12-22-2014, 09:34 AM

I'm thankful for everyone who genuinely benefitted from treatment.

At the same time, the blanket application of the drug for early stage HER2 positive bc limits our ability as individuals to evaluate with accuracy which of us actually benefitted and which did not, or why.

Today, after 12 years, the truth is that not receiving the drug made zero difference for me, AND we have not learned anything at all about which of us are not likely to benefit from receiving such an expensive drug, and at the same time we are encouraging some to rely upon it while they are progressing. We have not determined which patients would benefit from the use of this drug without chemotherapy, such as possibly many or most early stage patients.

The cup is both half full AND half empty; better than 10 years ago (and that IS good news), but with a long way to go to be as effective as we like to believe it is on an individual basis.

12-22-2014, 09:34 AM	#12
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Re: early Christmas present--10 yr overall & bc specific survival results just publis I'm thankful for everyone who genuinely benefitted from treatment. At the same time, the blanket application of the drug for early stage HER2 positive bc limits our ability as individuals to evaluate with accuracy which of us actually benefitted and which did not, or why. Today, after 12 years, the truth is that not receiving the drug made zero difference for me, AND we have not learned anything at all about which of us are not likely to benefit from receiving such an expensive drug, and at the same time we are encouraging some to rely upon it while they are progressing. We have not determined which patients would benefit from the use of this drug without chemotherapy, such as possibly many or most early stage patients. The cup is both half full AND half empty; better than 10 years ago (and that IS good news), but with a long way to go to be as effective as we like to believe it is on an individual basis. __________________ 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; 12-22-2014 at 09:37 AM..