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Metastatic Breast Cancer Questions about advanced metastatic breast cancer. |
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| 4/17/2012 | Thank you for answering my question and suggesting the clinical trial (copied previous post below). I'll call today. So bascially it is not "if" the cancer will progress but a matter of "when" it will and eventually current treatment will stop working. My problem is I want to know the future - the "when" and what the road will be like. I suspect this is the challenge for anyone living with stage 4 diagnosis and the constant doctor visits and scans that serve as a reminder. My focus must remain on the now - I'm stable, medicine is working, so enjoy life and trust God. copy of previous post and your response: I have stage 4 breast cancer to the bone and currently treated with zometa and faslodex. Last scans shows stable/no progression. Is it possible to stay this way indefintely or will the cancer eventually progress while on current treatment? Initially diagnosed in 2006 with stage IIB, diagnosed in January 2011 with stage 4. Thank you. Replied JHU's Breast Center Reply 4/17/2012 the word "indefinitely" is where the rubber hits the road. Though i wish i could say yes, the answer is no. Eventually the disease will resume and we hope it is a long long time from now. however given that the cancer is stable presently, you are likely to be a candidate for a breast cancer vaccine trial! Dr Leisha Emens heads up this clinical trial here. you can call 410-502-7051 to learn if you are a candidate for it. take care.. age 4. For a reference I copied my previous post along with your reply. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 4/17/2012 | Yes, you are right. this is what everyone wants to know who is in this situation. Think of this cancer as being a chronic illness, like a brittle diabetic who take insulin every day. The mission is control and not cure. That said, there are new treatments happening all the time, including this vaccine trial. You said wise words-- medicine is working, so enjoy life and trust God. BTW we offer retreats for women with stage IV breast cancer. you can email dstewa24@jhmi.edu for details about them. | ||
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