Stage 4 and some advice please.

[apuroopam]

As a Newbee, huge applause to everybody who is managing this forum and who contributes lot of information to keep it going. Looking at the posts, the doctors in this forum are fantastic and has a great, lovely nature to help out others who are in shock and some desperate guidance. Please keep it going docs.

As most of the other members in the community who are dealing with a family member of them selves, we unfortunately have a person diagnosed recently with stage 4 Metastatic Breast cancer, spread to liver, bones and Brain along with local lymph nodes. Trucut biopsy showed ER PR negative and HER-2 positive status yesterday. She is going to see Medical oncologist tomorrow. I am sure she is in safe hands and we would follow his advice. My mother in law, 52 years old is diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks back and we all are in very low spirits. she is currently in bengaluru with her son and family and would like to have treatment there.

Ofcourse we would follow the treatment initiated by the oncologist, but we are aware about the current guidelines in her stage suggesting the possible treatment with Docetaxel, Trastuzamab and Pertuzumab combination for 6 cycles followed by Trastuzamab and Pertuzumab for life depending on the response on PET scans.

Being a middle class family with limited finances doesn't help when dealing with a cancer which is eager to invade the whole body. we would at least try to start with the above triple combination for initial 6 cycles if suggested by oncologist.

I would appreciate any suggestions about any programs available to assist with the drugs. I have heard of Blue tree patient support initiative by Roche India in the forums, but would like to know if any on is currently utilizing it. if so please advice how it works and whom to deal with. I hope our oncologist might shed more light on it as well. [but helps to have more prior knowledge about it]. Would love to know any other similar programmes for either herceptin or perjeta.

I am aware of couple of other companies in India, who manufacture biosimilars and can see the recent battle win court, which is very interesting. I know the forum rules, of not discussing about specific companies -- but would be interesting if any one using them with a good response.

Apologies for long post, but would appreciate if any one would reply if any information available.

Again, Salute the doctors spending their precious time,, for helping the patients in need.

Thank you

Sridhar

[kontak TeamBCI]

Hello Sridhar. Welcome to our forum. Its unfortunate any of the family member having a cancer. Its the whole family who gets shattered. Anyway all of you have to be very strong and positive. Ask your Oncologists who will be treating you - they will give the name & address of the dealer and of course you will get heavy discounts on the meidcines.

Rest our team of doctors will guide you further.

[apuroopam in reply to kontak]

Thank you for your nice words. We will ask our oncologist.

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

I understand your situation. Our prayers are with you.

As for your question, there is always some or the other program going on, with regards to these drugs. Your Medical Oncologist would be the best person to guide you, both, with regards to any specific discounts or bonus programs going on in your area and also with your doubts, with regards original molecule versus biosimilars.

I regret I won't be able to help much as I am a Surgical Oncologist. I operate upon cancers. I don't give chemo and haven't done so for last 10 years, so can't answer your queries regarding chemotherapy or targeted therapy.

But your don't worry and go ahead. Your Oncologist would be the best person to guide you.