Clinical Trials Update
Hello members, Our BCNA Senior Policy Officer has provided the below information regarding clinical trials that may be of interest to our members. These are also being shared in our Health Professionals Network News and the Metastatic Advisory Group (I shall post in the mets private group re EMBRACE Phase II trial). Nivolumab neoadjuvant/adjuvant clinical trial The CA209-7FL neoadjuvant/adjuvant breast cancer trial continues to be open to recruitment, running in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria for patients with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early-stage breast cancer. Bristol Myers Squibb will be implementing a digital advertising campaign expected to launch in October/November 2021. This will target both health professionals and patients. More information on the trial can be found here. EMBRACE Phase II Olaparib clinical trial EMBRACE is a Phase II clinical trial of the PARP inhibitor, Olaparib, in HR-deficient metastatic breast and relapsed ovarian cancer in patients without germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. Patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) or relapsed platinum-sensitive high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) after first line/adjuvant therapy who have an eligible tumour molecular analysis result are suitable for the trial. There are 11 sites open in Australia in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA and WA. More information on the trial can be found here or by emailing embrace.study@sydney.edu.au We encourage members to talk with their treatment team in the first instance about any clinical trials.
Breast cancer stories on TV
A heads up, either a trigger warning, or a you might be interested. If you have Stan, Series 1 Episode 6 of 'The Bold Type' has a breast cancer storyline. I found it quite well done. A BRCA gene, young women's risk, the difficulties some have with the 'marketing' of BC, the emotional distress around testing.. I've not seen it done in a fictional setting this well before. The show's not great, but I thought this episode handed the topic well.
So I have BRCA 2 mutation 🙄
I'm coming up to 12mths post chemo. 18mths post double mastectomy. 6mths post oophrectomy (ovaries out) after my IDC diagnosis after self detecting a small lump at age 46. Genetics is obviously something they put on a back burner during all this process but my sample was sent to the US after my recent genetics appointment. Results are in BRCA 2 identified.. I have mixed feelings tbh. First thought..oh my kids! Please don't let my family endure anymore elevated cancer risk. I have 3 children 2 daughters and a son i guess the chances are one of them does at least.. Then thank goodness i opted for a double mastectomy, and i chose to remove to remove my ovaries also. It looks like my risk of other cancers is also elevated now. Sometimes i really wish i could go back to the good old days, pre cancer! Oh how sweet was life! Today i have to talk with them about getting tested. 😕 but knowledge is power they say. Thanks for listening 💜Prioritising access to risk reducing surgery
We know that the knowledge of your risk of breast cancer can be empowering but it becomes a feeling of being powerless when forced to spend years on public wait lists for risk reducing surgery. It’s a constant state of fear compounded by lack of transparency regarding timelines and the reality is some will receive a breast cancer diagnosis whilst waiting Today we’re in Canberra with the Australian Access to Breast Reconstruction Collaborative Group (AABRCG) to launch a joint position statement ‘Prioritising access to risk reducing surgery for people with inherited high risks of breast cancer.' We're calling for a national, consistent approach to ensure that individuals with inherited genetic risks have timely and equitable access to risk reducing surgeries. Are you waiting for a prophylactic mastectomy? To learn more about this issue and to read our position statement, visit our webpage https://www.bcna.org.au/our-impact/prioritising-access-to-risk-reducing-surgery/Inherited gene mutations - are you at higher risk of breast cancer?
Approximately 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary- caused by a gene abnormality that is passed from a parent to their child. If one or more of your close family members have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be concerned about your inherited risk of developing breast cancer. If you’re at higher risk, have you looked into your options? Learn more about genetics and the risk of breast cancer at https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/genetics-and-risk-of-breast-cancer/ Have you joined our private group? Head to the link Hereditary Genetic Mutations and Breast Cancer
