Considering EndoPredict before accepting Chemo
Hi everyone, I did a search and this topic hasn't been mentioned in a while since 2023. The main difference seems to be that EndoPredict ($2980) is now eligible for partial Medicare rebate ($1103). However, it is still a considerable cost for many of us. I'm having to decide whether to take the test and hope that maybe the outcome could be that Chemo is not of benefit to me. Going by what the medical oncologist told me it is doubtful that Chemo would not benefit me - the use of "aggressive" to describe my stage 3 cancer makes me think that. Though he did still mention the testing to me so I had a choice. I'm torn and scared. With my previous cancer (liposarcoma) I didn't have Chemo so it is an unknown scary beast. My two main concerns with Chemo are the heart and bone damage risks. I get that the decision to have the test is a very personal one and nobody can make that choice for me. For me it isn't just financial, the main choice is whether I consider Chemo is worth it. Even if the test comes out a low percentage for recurrence, is that enough for me to say no to Chemo? After all, the test is the risk of recurrence in 10 years and personally, I'm now on cancer number 2 (different types) in a 14 year period. Have many of you have taken the test? Or would you take it now that it is partially rebated by Medicare? Thank you for reading and being sounding boards.
Early Access Program - Kisqali / Ribociclib for EBC
Hi there, My medical oncologist called me yesterday to discuss the issues with the current early access program for early BC and Kisqali / Ribociclib. Apparently, the current formulation contains very small quantities of 'nitrosamine' which have been shown in studies to potentially (in a very small number of cases) cause another cancer. The new formulation will not be available for a few months from the manufacturer. Has anyone else who is on Ribociclib had this discussion with their med onc / decided to pause the drug - or decided that the risks are OK and chosen to continue with the medication? Noting there is a BC conference in Berlin next week (my med onc is going but not presenting) and there are a number of sessions discussing CDK4/6 inhibitors for early BC with high likelihood of recurrence. Not sure also if this affects mets patients who are on Ribociclib already too? Just when I think I'm on a certain path things change ... again. Kelly (totally acknowledging personal choice etc - but keen to know what others have been told, and if anyone is OK to share, what they have decided to do).
Are you experiencing pain following treatment?
Register for the Persistent pain, addressing quality of life webcast on Wednesday 7 February, 7pm - 8.15pm AEDT. Register now (and if you miss it, we will email you the recording) This webcast will address types of persistent pain associated with early breast cancer treatments, strategies to manage pain and further resources and support that may be available to you. We will be joined by three experts on the night, Professor Paul Glare, Pain Medicine Specialist, Dr Charlotte Tottman, Clinical Psychologist and Naveena Nekkalapudi, BCNA Consumer Representative. Naveena will be sharing her experiences of persistent body pain and why quality of life is paramount to her. You will have the opportunity to put forward your questions when you register or during the event. For more information about the webcast and speakers, and to register, please visit https://www.bcna.org.au/event-directory/webcasts/persistent-pain-after-breast-cancer/ Please feel free to pop any questions below in the comments or get in touch with the events team via events@bcna.org.au. We look forward to seeing you there!
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.
