Dr. Slamon in Canada discusses "cure"

[Cathya]

I want to say hi as I haven't been posting in a while. I am doing well and am praying for all of you!!

I just read the National Post this morning....an article by Libby Znaimer who also has breast cancer (although not Her2+). Apparently Dr. Slamon was in Toronto this week to pick up the Gairdner International Award for Medical Research.

In his speach, according to her article, he said, "I don't have the data yet, but I bet you we can improve the cure rates by about one-third with Herceptin." He discussed herceptin being what he calls a "targeted therapy". It attacks the specific genetic mutation that causes the disease. (He said that Her2+ is caused by a mistake in the gene, but it's not hereditary. It just happens when the cell replicates; no one knows why) That's completely different from chemotherapy, which attacks your entire system in the hope that it will kill cancer cells too. "The ultimate goal would be to get rid of chemotheraphy. If we can identify what's broken, we won't throw in these non-specific bombs."

One of the attendees commented to Libby that she would love to go and hug him (wouldn't we all!!). She has two herceptin treatments left. Libby said that Dr. Slamon will consider her cured if she survives for six or seven years. "Cure" is not a word he uses lightly. "I think it sets expectations inappropriately,: he says, "but if you identify what's broken, and you treat it effectivel, it isn't just turning the cancer into a chronic disease. You should be able to eradicate the disease."

God bless you all,

Cathy