Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) - Enhertu for HER2-low Metastatic Breast Cancer
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended the drug Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for people with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer (MBC) to be subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). We now call on the Australian Government to work with the pharmaceutical company to list Enhertu on the PBS as quickly as possible, to save people thousands of dollars. BCNA also urges AstraZeneca to reduce the cost of its Patient Access Program for Enhertu whilst we await PBS listing, to ensure as many people as possible can access this life-prolonging dug. Sarah (pictured), who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017 at the age of 41, has spent over $200,000 on Enhertu privately until she recently became eligible for the patient access program. “[Enhertu means that] my children will have a mum who loves them unconditionally – for longer. My husband will have a wife – the love of his life – for longer.” If you have any questions about Enhertu we encourage you to speak to your treating team. Read further details via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/media-releases/enhertu-recommended-for-pbs-subsidy-but-it-is-not-time-to-celebrate/
Skin Rash Side Effect with Exemestane (Aromasin) & Everolimus (Afinitor)
Hi All, I'm on week 5 with this treatment combo now. This last week I've broken out in a pretty bad skin rash, starts of red/pimply look and evolves into joining up into large red blotches. Its just horrible - I'm sure people will start thinking I've got Monkey Pox now! :o :D :( I've been to my GP on Onco Nurse's advice as my Once has been away with a family emergency. I've got every known pill and potion to conquer the rash/itchiness - antihistamine, steroid cream, Pentarsal, Chamomile lotion, moisturiser which seems to be managing it mostly. I know its a known side effect. Has anyone else had this side effect please? Does it persist for the whole treatment, or for only a little while and will then disappear in a good time/few weeks? How did you manage it? I did get mouth ulcers Weeks 2-4 (well managed with Dextamestane that I've now stopped), but they seem to have gone away for now anyway... Any help, guidance so very gratefully appreciated. CheersTreatment
I have recently been given the diagnosis we all dread, metastatic her2+++ in my liver I started treatment with Pacitaxel with pertuzumab and trastuzumab. I had a reaction after 7 minutes of pacitaxel so it was stopped the next week when I went for next treatment I was informed that they were changing the treatment to trastuzumab and vinorelbine in three weeks time. I am really anxious about the whole situation the oncologist that I have been seeing for past eight years has been on leave and I have dealt with three different oncologists since receiving the diagnosis four weeks ago and it seems impossible to get information about the change of treatment. When first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 I was given lots of information and support this time it feels like all I am getting is pity and am all alone and anxiety is eating me alive I am trying to be positive but it seems so much harder this time around.
