THE LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT OF HERCEPTIN
COVER STORY
Trialling a new treatment FOR TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER
As of October 2021, trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is no longer available as a subsidised medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Several equivalent brands of trastuzumab are subsidised through the PBS and will remain available to people undergoing treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer instead of Herceptin. You can read more here .
June with husband David in North America
T hursday 13 October is Metastatic Breast Every day, BCNA works to give people living with metastatic breast cancer a voice to encourage change and provide them with the support and information they need to feel empowered and live well. Cancer Awareness Day and we acknowledge those living with metastatic disease. clinical trials, people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer are more likely to live longer and have a better quality of life than ever before. To read more about recent clinical trials, go to pages 12 and 13. If you’re having treatment for metastatic breast cancer and would like to be involved in a clinical trial, consider asking your treating team if there’s a trial you’re eligible for. The Beacon spoke to June and Jenny who are both living with metastatic breast cancer. They share their experiences of being diagnosed, treatment decisions, challenges and how cancer has changed their outlook. Trialling a new treatment for triple negative breast cancer I wanted to share my story of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the astounding results I’ve had from a new drug, Thanks to advancements in treatment and the success of Trodelvy. After five months of treatment, my tumours have become mostly inactive, and I am now enjoying a long-awaited
I t’s been 10 years since I cancer diagnosis. After the initial shock, I chose to apply the same attitude I’ve had since my original diagnosis of early breast cancer in 2001 - the minute I found out I had breast cancer I said to myself, this is not going to rule my life. I won’t be defined by it. was told breast cancer had spread to my liver. It was the third time I’d received an unexpected breast This approach has helped me manage years of treatment, including a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and ongoing hormone-blocking therapy. When I was diagnosed with another primary breast cancer in 2006, I had an axillary clearance (removal of lymph nodes) and Herceptin was recommended as part of my treatment. Herceptin, a targeted treatment for women with HER2- positive breast cancer, had only recently been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), thanks to BCNA’s advocacy to make the life-saving treatment more affordable. Herceptin had been an incredibly expensive treatment, costing thousands of dollars, but by the time I was put on it for three months to treat my early breast cancer, I didn’t have to pay for it. That made a huge difference and took away some of the additional financial stress. Herceptin has since played an even greater role in my life. When I was diagnosed with
of heart problems, so each year I have an echocardiogram (ECG) to monitor any side effects. Ultimately, I am hopeful about the future of women with metastatic disease. Early detection and improved, more targeted treatments have made a huge difference. The longer you live, the longer you can expect to live.
it in Australia, and I was fortunate enough to meet the criteria. When I was first started on Trodelvy there wasn’t a lot of information about what to expect. There weren’t many people in Australia on it and we were all learning on the go. I found a blog which helped me understand more about what I could expect. The side effects aren’t great. I lost all my hair after the first cycle, and also experienced significant fatigue at the beginning and some nausea, though these have reduced over time. The treatment has definitely slowed me down but it hasn’t stopped me. One of the things that shocked me was the number of women on the Australian breast cancer blogs who wanted to get access to Trodelvy but either couldn’t afford it or it just wasn’t available where they lived. My heart breaks for them. Thankfully, it is now on the PBS so more people can access it. I feel very lucky to be able to access this treatment and that my body’s responded so well. It gives me a lot of hope for myself and others to continue to be active and lead fulfilling lives. We are so lucky cancer researchers, medical professionals, BCNA and other organisations, along with the health system, are constantly innovating treatment and tools that improve our quality of life.
metastatic breast cancer in 2012, my oncologist recommended Herceptin every three weeks as part of my treatment, and it’s been life-changing. My cancer is currently considered to be in remission. These days I only have Herceptin every six weeks, which has made a world of difference. I’m extremely grateful for my team and their care over the years. Throughout everything, I have focused on leading a normal life and pursuing my many interests, including knitting, gardening, playing bridge, reading, cooking and spending time with my family. My great interest in life is playing golf. It has been an incredible help for me. You get out there and you forget about your worries. At my golf club, they’ve started a Pink Ladies golf day. We play nine holes, have lunch and talk about our experiences. It’s been a great source of support and friendship over the years. I am fortunate not to have any ongoing challenges from my breast cancer treatment, however, Herceptin can increase the risk
trip overseas to visit family in North America.
Trodelvy is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). I am keen to spread the word to other people with metastatic TNBC and suggest talking to your treatment team to see if Trodelvy might be right for you. I work in the field of organisation development and can be a bit of a people pleaser, but throughout my breast cancer experience I decided I wasn’t going to be passive and just go with what was served up to me. I learned to be proactive, which really helped me throughout my treatment. I did a lot of my own reading and research, always went to my medical appointments with loads of questions for my doctors, and explored alternative therapies such as acupuncture to help improve my treatment experience and side effects. I first heard about Trodelvy in June 2021 during one of BCNA’s webcasts. It talked about TNBC and the latest developments in treatment, including this specific drug which was being trialled in America. I wrote down the name to ask my oncologist about it and told her I was interested in participating in a clinical trial for it. In December, she let me know there was an opportunity to get ‘early access’ to
Jenny
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ABOUT METASTATIC BREAST CANCER, VISIT BCNA’S MY JOURNEY
BCNA Policy & Advocacy played a key role in advocating for the addition of Trodelvy to the PBS to help alleviate the significant financial barrier to accessing this important treatment. As new treatments emerge, we will continue to be a voice for those with breast cancer and advocate for timely consideration of new treatments for subsidy.
6
7
September 2022 | Issue 92
Breast Cancer Network Australia
bcna.org.au
Issue 92 | September 2022
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online