Meeting with Pharmaceutical Company Eisai
On Tuesday 16 September I represented BCNA as a Consumer Representative as a guest speaker at a luncheon being part of an internal conference run by Eisia, Eisai is a global research orientated pharmaceutical company committed to improving the health and all individuals worldwide regardless of wealth or geography.
A drug called Eribulin is soon to be added to the PBS. It’s a monotherapy for advanced disease in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have progressed after at least two chemotherapeutic regimens. To qualify for its use, prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane, unless patients were not suitable for these treatments.
Eisai is new to Australia and approached BCNA to send someone who has advanced breast cancer to share their journey. I was honoured to be asked to represent BCNA and myself. I addressed a group of 20 people, some local, some from the UK. The group included Doctor (researcher), Brand and Marketing Managers and Medical Detailers (sales reps to doctors).
I have metastatic bone disease in the sacrum and spine as well as metastatic brain disease and have lived with cancer for 8 years.
Eisai were keen to understand my relationship with my Oncologist. I said that over time it had changed. When I had early breast cancer, it was a formal doctor/patient relationship. Now that I have Advanced Breast Cancer for a long time, its more of a collaborative relationship as I understand my disease, body and do my homework. Always looking for something that will continue to give me quality fo life. Fortunately I paid $15K for Kadcyla, That combined with stero radio surgery to the brain, my disease is in check and its the first time in ages that I feel I'm not a tightrope. It maybe a honeymoon, but I'll take it.
They wanted to know if I had treatment options. I am a private patient and I have always been given options.
Another question was navigating the hospital system. Overall I have not had too much trouble except for the Austin Hospital when I had radiotherapy on my spinal cord. Radiotherapy had only moved from the Repatriation Hospital in Heldelberg and their staff were less than satisfactory. I would suggest that its probably better now but first and foremost patient care comes first, not massages and painting classes.
I am now at Peter Mac for radiotherapy.
Question was asked re Breast Care Nurse and oncology nurse support. I for one have never met a Breast Care Nurse. I have a wonderful relationship with my oncology nurses who are very helpful and supportive people.
They also wanted to know who else I relied on. I have two wonderful friends who have been my chemo buddies for 8 years. I love them dearly.
Being a pharmaceutical company, they were keen to learn about my side effects and how I deal with them. They have been numerous side effects over the years and depending the medical regime, sometimes I felt overwhelmed by side effects.
These included chronic pain, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel (diarrhoea and gastric reflux), peripheral neuropathy, hand and foot syndrome and migraine.
Today I have peripheral neuropathy, dry mouth and a runny nose. Kadcyla is a much gentler drug.
They also wanted to know other therapies, support groups to cope with the disease.
I have and now will do again Palliates to increase my core strength in conjunction with exercise in water. I have always walked and have a very balanced diet. For support I spoke about BCNA and the online network.
They wanted to know what the emotional game changers were throughout my journey. From the outset I told the audience that living with cancer for a long time, I have totally accepted it and taken ownership of my disease but early days I treated cancer as an alien and I was going to defeat it. Hereunder is the list.
Game Changers over journey
1. Being diagnosed with breast cancer
2. Being well and taking poison making you feel sick
3. Losing hair
4. Being thrown into menopause
5. Being diagnosed with Metastatic bone disease - morality really kicks in
6. Your life is now in a holding pattern as it’s dictated by “cancer” which is king.
7. Giving up work
8. Cashing in my superannuation
9. Being diagnosed with metastatic brain disease and terrified what this would mean to my quality of life.
10. Going on a disability pension.
In summary, I really enjoyed interacting with people in a work environment again and didn't feel awkward telling my story. Eisai were very welcoming and thanks to Carlyn Villani, Brand Director fo Eisai for thinking of BCNA. Feedback was that they got a good insight from the patient's perspective which had not been previously considered. They are now more empathetic and hopefully gives them a more rounded approach in their work.
Karen Cowley
BCNA Consumer Rep
Comments
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Hi Karen, am a late jumper in here. This is such a great communication for all of us and I really appreciate it. I'm blown away by everything you have on your plate and yet your focus to get your story across with such clarity.
For me it's great that you've put in the list from your presentation of the emotional game changers - it's a great phrase! I'm really grateful to you for sharing this, it's awesome to read how you conveyed important information to the audience.
It's a brilliant lead up to October! Jenny
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Hi Mandy, Glad you liked my report. I have just applied to be BCNA rep for a Government Committee and waiting response. Believe I have three meetings for this one. Will aso let you know my experience. Look forward to hearing how you go.
Take care
Karen
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