Breast Cancer Now Forum

HI Beatit, You may find the information about KI67 proliferation index  from below link. https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/rate_grade Your may find the correlation between chemo/delay chemo/no chemo and KI67 proliferation index from below link. https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-021-00301-5?fbclid=IwAR21RcNLHuGOYeZAJLsdOLz79yrVu8yyGXdyd82v2PDG-WOmtd2i1j7LxNc     ... View more

Hi Jacksy, I am in BC Canada. You may find some information about Nabilone from below link. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/coping-with-cancer/medical-cannabis Ceci, ... View more

Hi Lancashire Lass, Metformin in conjunction with chemo is a very interesting topic to me. (1) I am type 2 diabetic and on metformin for 20+ years. I am not sure whether metformin had help. I achieved NED for 2 and half years after 8 cycles of Taxol+Herceptin+Perjeta for my first line treeatment. (2) Some members on this forum has mentioned about those off-label drugs metformin/statin/mebendazole/Doxycycline. You may get some information by searching for "COC protocol"  to this forum. (3) My understanding the usage of metformin for treating breast cancer is on trial and has not been approved for standard care cancer treatment. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02201381 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02201381#contacts Ceci        ... View more

Thank You Gina.     xx  Ceci ... View more

Hi Lancashire Lass, Some more information about the drug. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/trodelvy Just read your good news.  😀 ... View more

Hi Lancashire Lass I seem to remember a member (Nick08) on this forum whose oncologist had directly called the manufacturer to access a new (hasn't been approved in UK at that time) drug ALPELISIB free for her on compassionate ground. Canada has a similar program. And the company name in Canada is as below. I hope your oncologist can do the same for you. Govitecan (Trodelvy®) Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. 6711 Mississauga Road, suite600 Mississauga, ON L5N 2W3 ps.is below the same company in UK ??  https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0366711D:LN     ... View more

Hi Jan, Mindy I remember my oncologist told me Zolendronic acid (1) is given to early stage postmenopausal women is to prevent osteoporosis and relapse of breast cancer to bone. (2) is given to stage IV with bone met is to prevent skeletal related event like pain crisis, hypercalcemia, pathologic fracture, epidural cord compression, Jan, maybe this explains why you are not offered the drug this time. I am offered as I have bone met. I asked my oncologist whether I need the supplement vitamin D3 and calcium. She said yes to D3 but no to calcium because of possible hypercalcemia happens in stage IV bone met.  My oncologist told me to continue with my yearly mammogram (to my healthy breast) as well every 5 years coloscopy (my dad passed away of colon cancer) just in case cancer can be  pre-screen before it appears on the scan.    ... View more

Hi Timmycat, I understand your feeling. My triple positive breast cancer is at stage 4 with suspicious cancer found in liver, lung and biopsy confirmed met in sternum. After 8 cycles of Taxol, Herceptin and Purjeta, in at least 6 of my 3 monthly CT scan, my onco. told me there is NOTHING in liver, lung and my sternum is healing (no activity on PET scan). I thought I might be the very lucky one who magically achieved NED. Then all of a sudden I had a severe reaction in my 7th and 8th CT scan (hives all over body, low blod pressure 30/60, tongue sting)  It is ok. No more CT scan with contrast for me forever. But on the 8th CT scan result they found 3 masses at the very top surface (in the skin ??) near my sternum and one close to my heart though still nothing in liver, lung and all the organs. I will soon start my 2nd line anit-HER2 treatment. Cancer is suck !!! ... View more

Hi Timmycat, I wish you can resume and continue on CAPE as long as you want. Pls refer to page 2. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/chemotherapy-protocols-site/Documents/Breast/BRAVCAP_Protocol.pdf Copied and pasted from below link " Eat a balanced diet that includes foods high in iron. These foods include green leafy vegetables, liver and cooked red meats." Leafy green vege. like spinach may not help but still good to have it as part of a balanced diet.  https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnosis-and-treatment/managing-side-effects/anemia/?region=bc ... View more

Hi Timmycat, Below is the patient handout found from the same Canada website. Edited : posted the wrong link for other cancer and corrected as below http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/chemotherapy-protocols-site/Documents/Breast/BRAVCAP_Handout.pdf ps. cancer is suck ps. I always go to different websites including this forum and CancerResearchUK to compare notes ps. I studied in London, UK when I was young    ... View more

Hi Timmycat, I don't have any experience of Cape but from what I found on my cancer center website loss of appetite (or anorexia) is one of the side effects of Cape and maybe, you would like to check with your medical team.  Pls refer to pg 3 under organ site "gastrointestinal" for the side effect "anorexia" http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Drug%20Index/Capecitabine_monograph.pdf ps. Besides medicine which we may not want, I found some (GENERAL,NOT particular to breast cancer) dietary management suggestion on the website.  Encourage or Promote adequate hydration and daily oral intake by: - Increase fluid intake as tolerated (e.g. soup, shakes, smoothies) - Promote high calorie/protein fluids with medications and throughout the day (e.g. full-fat milk, homemade smoothies, nutritional supplements). - Limit fluid intake to 30 minutes prior to meals to avoid feeling full and 2 hours before normal bedtime so as not to interrupt sleep. Small, frequent meals (5-6) per day. - High calorie, high protein foods (e.g. cheese/cottage cheese, eggs, Greek yogurt, nut butters, protein bars, avocados) - Eating largest meal when feeling most hungry regardless of time of day - Sitting upright for 30 to 60 minutes after eating to facilitate digestion - Avoid preparing foods with strong odours or ask caregivers to prepare such foods and avoid being present during the preparation - If fatigue or meal preparation are a problem, suggest the use of convenience foods (e.g. frozen foods, canned soups), take-out foods, catering service, family or friends preparing meals, or Meals on Wheels® - Oral nutritional supplements as needed to augment diet; particularly if patient has symptoms that interfere with nutritional intake or absorption (eg. Ensure, boost) - Manage contributors to anorexia eg. Chronic nausea, constipation, taste alterations - Avoid spicy foods and limit drinks with coffee and alcohol - Make mealtimes as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Ask for help when preparing meals. Try keeping a daily log of nutritional intake ... View more

Hi, I live in Burnaby, 5 minutes drive to Vancouver. A heat wave here. Though both Herceptin and Purjeta which I am on would not cause the so-called photo-sensitivity reaction, I am hiding myself from the sun.  😀 http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Documents/SunSensitivityPatientHandout_Apr2011.pdf   ... View more

Dear Loulou1007, No need to apologize. I fully understand. I know how important is each treatment to us. (I am triple positive stage 4). ps. 2 years ago after my cycle 6 of Taxol, I felt numbness in my fingers then my onco. suggested a dose reduction of 20%. I reacted so badly. I shouted "No...I want 100%.... I want to change another oncologist...."      ... View more

Hi Loulou1007, Are you sure your dose is 125mg x 2 and not 250mg x 2 ? 🙂 I am getting my SBC treatment in BC, Canada. The dosage guideline is 500mg for 1 dose but the administration guideline in Canada  is  two 250 mg injections, one into each buttock. Please refer to page 5 of below document. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Drug%20Index/Fulvestrant_Monograph.pdf Please refer to page 2 of below document. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/chemotherapy-protocols-site/Documents/Breast/UBRAVPBFLV_Protocol.pdf ... View more

Hi artygirl2061, I am getting my SBC treatment in Canada. The below document is found from the BC Cancer agency link and hope it is helpful. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Drug%20Index/Fulvestrant_Handout.pdf  ... View more

Sorry, Jennie60. we have never spoken to each other. I really misunderstood. When I saw your post it just made me to think about myself I couple times hid my symptoms and afraid my onco would delay or even stop my treatment. sorry !! ... View more

Hi Jennie60, For your information. Just want to say to let your oncologist knows. They are the professional. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Drug%20Index/Capecitabine_handout.pdf http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Drug%20Index/Capecitabine_monograph.pdf       ... View more

Hi Jen, When did you stop Paclitaxol ? Maybe it takes sometimes for the neuropathy to fade away.  Below are the information which I found from my cancer center (in Canada) website. ps . I finished my 8 cycles 3-weekly Paclitaxol treatment in May,2019. Started from cycle 6 and up to now,  I am quite slow to feel if hot/cold smooth/rough from my finger tips. It seems my fingers were soaked in water for long time. After cycle 6, My oncologist had warned me she needed to reduce my dose by 20% otherwise it might be permanent but I refused.   🙂   ... View more

Hi Spoutnik, Maybe you will be switched from HP onto Kadcyla if residual disease found during surgery or stay on HP.  Please read the below thread. Going through breast cancer treatment -> Targeted therapies -> Kadcyla Query      ... View more

Hi Mclaire83, I don't have any experience of Abraxane (Paclitaxol NAB) but Paclitaxol and I received my SBC treatment in Canada. I look for the patient handout for Abraxane from our cancer center official website and seems should  seek doctor or get emergency help immediately if any heart problem. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Drug%20Index/Paclitaxel%20NAB_handout.pdf   ... View more