A study in 2002 found that the use of proteomic patterns in serum (identifying a pattern of proteins) may help identify ovarian cancer. I wonder why this is the first time I am reading about it and think I will need to do more research to find why this hasn't become a standard screening methodology. The results of the 20o2 study were able to screen 100% of ovarian cancer carriers and correctly screened 95% of non-ovarian cancer carriers. So what happened to this promising method for screening??
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Identifying Ovarian Cancer with Proteomics
After getting a pelvic ultrasound this morning and the subsequent paranoia that I have, I did some surfing to read more about ovaries and ovary size, etc. I ran across a website, OvaryResearch.com and found this very promising information that is new to me. It is especially promising because pelvic ultrasounds are not very good screening tools anyway.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Notes from LBBC Teleconference "Breaking News from 31st Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium"
Speaker: Dr. Kathy Miller
Adjuvant Hormone Therapy
-Increased use of Aromatase Inhibitors -- better survival than Tamoxifen
-Also discussed: OncoDX Score, Big 198 Study
Studies now looking at how women metabolize Tamox and Aromatase inhibitors and seeing if it is possible to choose the therapy based on the enzymes inherited (how well a person metabolizes these). Can hormone therapy be individualized to people?
-Bone health -- aromatase has increased bone loss risk, studies show bisphosphanates are important to administer immediately with aromatase therapy
Adjuvant Chemotherapy (CURE article here)
FinnXx Study -- incorporating Xeloda (capecitabine) -- HER2-, lymph node involvement
NSABP30 Trial & BCROG(?) Trial (gave 6 cycles instead of 4). These trials looked at the TAC (Taxotere, Adriamycin, Cytoxin) regimen and compared dosage, sequence.
Three arms of the trials:
- 4 Adria then 4 tax on 3 week cycle each (sequential arm) -- lower risk of recurrence of all
- 4 A + 4 T
- 4TAC
Summary:
The second trial adminstered 6 doses versus 4. There was no significant difference found between fewer doses, but the sequential arm had the lowest recurrence of all and fewer side effects (probably due to lower dosages of the high toxicity drugs). Conclusion is that the TAC schedule does not offer improved outcome and TAC should be "retired". Recommendations coming out are to make treatment interval every 2 weeks or taxanes weekly and get rid of the TAC regimen.
HER2+ news
Lapatnib -- benefit for metastatic HER2+
TDM1 (Trastuzumab)
Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy
approval of drug ixabepilone shows benefit for Triple Negative (in combination with Xeloda)
Again, no studies being reported at San Antonio broke out pre- vs post-menopausal women! Argh!
Prescription: 3 Cups of Tea Daily
This article gave me pause today. I joined a Tea-Of-The-Month Club at work last year and haven't been drinking the wonderful tea samples I get every month. Since this article in the 1/23/2009 Telegraph is extolling the evidence that 3 cups of tea a day can reduce breast cancer risk in women under 50, I might just have to force my tea habit!
Ooooh, but I like this article (in the July 7 2008 Telegraph) better. The chemical resveratrol, found in blueberries, cranberries and peanuts that has a tumor suppression property, is also found in the skin of grapes that make red wine! Red wine fights cancer! I'll just drink tea and red wine all day.
Another Punch to the Ovaries
Alright, already, I didn't realize there was so much literature out there about the benefits of oophorectomy for BRCA1/2 carriers. Am I running across this more and more as a sign that I need to hurry up and get this one over with??? The latest article has an innocuous-enough sounding headline, "Surgery can lower cancer risk in high-risk brca1/2 carriers". I should have guessed it would be advocating for ovary-removal. Sigh.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Open Clinical Trials
Monday, January 12, 2009
Why I Freak Out Over Being Triple Negative
Not only am I BRCA1+ and only about 5-10% of all breast cancers are hereditary breast cancers, but I was also diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive type of breast cancer. TNBC only represents 15% of all breast cancer cases, but accounts for as many as 25% of all cancer deaths. I feel like the odds are stacked against me.
And you know what else is scary? Read about the founder of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation:
"Launched in 2006 in honor of Nancy Block-Zenna, a young woman who was diagnosed at age 35 with triple negative breast cancer and died less than three years later, the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation focuses on raising awareness and supporting research to find a cure for the disease."
Sunday, January 11, 2009
FORCE Hereditary Cancer Conference
I will try to attend this conference if finances allow:
Join us May 14 – 16, 2009 in Orlando, Florida for the 4th annual Joining FORCEs Conference! The Joining FORCEs conference is an annual forum on hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. We welcome anyone concerned about hereditary cancer: cancer survivors, high-risk individuals, previvors, people with a BRCA mutation or family history of cancer, and health care providers who treat high-risk patients. For more information visit:
http://www.facingourrisk.org/annual_conference/index.htmlNon-invasive Targeted Radiofrequency Cancer Treatment
This is pretty exciting: an article and video that describes a radio frequency treatment of cancer cells developed by John Kanzius. This treatment destroys cancer without toxic chemicals or horrible side effects. It's an amazing story and a promising development.
As I was watching the video and reading about the treatment, I couldn't help wondering whether this would be a better way to manage lymph nodes. Instead of blindly removing lymph nodes, the nanoparticles would cling to any infected nodes and the radio frequency would destroy only the cancer cells, leaving the healthy lymph nodes to continue functioning. I wish I could have had the opportunity to have that method used on me, rather than having the invasive removal of lymph nodes that resulted in lymphedema issues that I have to deal with for the next 50 years.
As I was watching the video and reading about the treatment, I couldn't help wondering whether this would be a better way to manage lymph nodes. Instead of blindly removing lymph nodes, the nanoparticles would cling to any infected nodes and the radio frequency would destroy only the cancer cells, leaving the healthy lymph nodes to continue functioning. I wish I could have had the opportunity to have that method used on me, rather than having the invasive removal of lymph nodes that resulted in lymphedema issues that I have to deal with for the next 50 years.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Breastcancertrials.org
Another resource I discovered today, breastcancertrials.org. And, wow, what a great site.
For example (unfortunately, this one is in Stanford, CA and not accessible to me):
For example (unfortunately, this one is in Stanford, CA and not accessible to me):
Lymphedema Prevention and Detection
To Prospectively Evaluate the Potential for Simple, Effective Lymphedema Prophylaxis in Breast Cancer Survivors Who Show Early Evidence of High-Risk Status
Purpose
The purpose of this research study is to detect patients who might be at increased risk for the development of arm lymphedema based upon repeated non-invasive examination of the arms. When preventive interventions are appropriate, this study will compare the effectiveness of the usual treatments of massage and elastic sleeves with a new device, Flexitouch, which electronically simulates the effect of massage upon lymph flow.
Study groups
All participants will be monitored for evidence of early impairment in lymphatic function. Prior to surgery and once every 3 months after surgery, arm volume measurements and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) will be performed.
If a significant increase in BIA occurs, participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 preventive treatment groups:
- Standard Care: Self-administered lymphatic massage in addition to a standard compression sleeve
- Flexitouch: Use the Flexitouch device to stimulate the lymphatics in addition to a standard compression sleeve
- Continued Follow-Up: Continued monitoring of both arms
Additional procedures
If signs of lymphedema develop, a small punch biopsy of the skin will be taken. Blood samples for study purposes. Optional donation of breast tissue and skin from surgery.
Trial length
24 months
Post-trial follow-up
Regulary, up to 5 years
Sponsor
Other
More information on this clinical trial
Cancer.gov (PDQ®) [Oct 23, 2008] , Google Scholar, PubMed, BreastCancer.org/Lymphedema, Dr. Susan Love/LymphedemaArmy of Women
Just discovered this resource today, Army of Women. It's a partnership between the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation, and a partnership between scientists and women. Partnerships that promise to accelerate research that is necessary to end breast cancer.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Fundraising
Enter to win some Save the Ta-ta's fashion through January 20, 2009. I will need to look into getting a similar bag for the Scar Walkers fundraiser auction.....
Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Screening
A technique that uses radar to image breasts is being trialed in the UK. The radar creates a 3D image of the breast, like an MRI, but does it faster and with less radiation exposure, and there is no squishing involved. The coolest thing as that the trials for the next 12 months will focus specifically on young women "as these can prove the most challenging".
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