Cambria-II
Hi team
My oncologist has floated the option of joining the Cambria-II trial for me. How on earth do I decide if this is for me or not?
So much to consider
Forum Discussion
5 Replies
Hey NicoleUTM - Just knowing that a bunch of experts will be checking on you REGULARLY for the next 17 years (yeah, sounds a lifetime, I know!) but that is seriously GOOD!
I would have qualified for this one, if it had been available in 2018 .....
If I was offered this one as a 'BC newbie', I reckon I would have gone for it!! You are still on the AI or the 'new one' anyway .... so that is great.
Many of us feel almost 'abandoned' once our 5 years is 'up' ( I stretched mine out to 7 years!) with our Onc professionals.
Then, you are back with your GP again - who probably has no idea of 'scanxiety' or fear of recurrence with BC patients. You may tell them you are concerned about this & that - but will they act on it? Who knows!
But being on the Cambria 2 trial - they are continuously LOOKING for stuff that looks 'odd' ..... so 'win/win', I reckon!
Definitely chat with your Onc about it & your Breast care nurse too ..... and/or give the BCNA Helpline a bell to 'have a confidential chat'! 1800 500 258 (9-5, Mon-Fri)Take care & all the best! xx
Thanks Arpie.
I'm 33, ER+, PR+, HER2-, grade 3 and am in medical menopause (Zoladex since Feb-25). Had mastectomy, sentinal node positive and then chemo & radiation.
I started on exemestane about 5 weeks ago (more suitable than tamox. per oncologist). Last week my oncologist called to put this trial to me which is 50/50 whether I would continue on with exemestane or swap it out with the trial drug.
I can see the pros and cons. And a lot of simply unknowns!
Hi NicoleUTM
Thanks for that. Check out this link too - and have a listen to the video - I think it may explain bits more for you.
https://cambria2study.com/en-au/
The good thing would be that you won't be given a placebo (pretend) med .... you'll either be on an AI (like Exemestane that you are already taking) or may be given the Cambria 2 drug to 'trial'. This trial involves ongoing assessment & monitoring of your health (which is a good thing!)
This monitoring will go on for 7 years of the study, plus 10 years after the last person 'joins' the Trial! So if you DO decide to go on it - you'll be monitored for many years! (Not a bad thing!)
GorgyS was considering going on the trial and may have some pointers on her own decision making?
To be on the trial, you need to be on the AI meds for 12 weeks or less ... so you have a bit of time to make your decision .... good luck with your decision making!
Hi NicoleUTM
Check out this link, that explains the Trial.
https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/trials/cambria-2/
However - Your Onc really needs to explain to you (in easy language) why they think this trial may suit you.
Do you have a Breast Care Nurse? They may be able to explain it to you better, too.
How old are you? Have you gone thru menopause yet? What type of BC have you been diagnosed with?
Tamoxifen is probably the best known of all the Hormone Treatments and has been successfully used for DECADES on some types of BC! (My surgeon told me I would be on Tamoxifen - but my Onc put me onto an AI ... I ended up trying 3 before I found one that suited me best.)
SERMs are another form of Hormone Therapy that acts a bit differently than AI (Aromatase Inhibitors) which are different again from SERDs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Downregulators) - see explanations below.)
The first column is the different brand names of the Hormone Treatments mentioned below.Take care & all the best
