HIPEC for ovarian cancer Ireland

[sandirara]

Hello ladies in Ireland I watched a video from one of the forums in Cork from a Gyno/Onc who was showing the evidence that the HIPEC procedure prolongs life. Yet it is not available in Ireland. I have asked my oncologist why is it not available when it may prolong life by a year, he said no one trained to do it in Ireland. Have anyone of you had this discussion with your oncologist and how do we get it in Ireland? Also I have been asking about tumor profiling and getting fobbed off. I wish we could all bombard our oncologists and minister for health for both of these issues to be addressed for all of us . We need access to the HIPEC procedure I believe and also tumor profiling. IF we keep pushing for it we could make a difference.

[Hectoria]

I too requested HIPEC or IP chemo here in Scotland, to be told it was too dangerous to be used as standard, as it had a high level of fatalities. Of course we all know that is crap and it is down to training and money, but I think our NHS is in crisis, especially when it comes to cancer treatments.

Sx

[twiggy66 in reply to Hectoria]

Hi Hectoria I too am from Scotland & attend The Beatson. I had a recurrence over a year ago & am on a trial, I would have to say the care & info I have received is second to none. Maybe I've just been lucky but my oncologists attitudes seem to be if that doesn't work we'll try something else.

[Hectoria in reply to twiggy66]

Have you had HIPEC or IP chemo at The Beatson? Because all the stats show that is the best way of dealing with it in the first instance and can add years to our survival, but as far as I know it is not offered. It is this that bothers me, not the hard-working doctors and nurses on the NHS who are doing their very best under difficult financial straits.

[twiggy66 in reply to Hectoria]

Hi Hectoria

No I've never bean offered these, when I first recurred my professor strongly suggested I try & get on LOGS trial, I went for all the tests to see if I would be suitable & when I was it was a random selection & I was lucky enough to get on it. That's been over a year & I had problems to start with but eventually I was put on lowest dose. I get regular CT Scans & nothing has gotten any bigger in the last year or so. So fingers crossed it remains like this.

Hope you get something that suits you soon.

Lv isobel x

[Hidden]

I believe we have to keep lobbying for better treatment here in Ireland. Some oncologists are more apprhable than others. There are starting tumour profiling in ST James hospitals but it was funded by a drug company. To continue they need resources. It is hope that genetic testing will in future be offered at time of diagnosis or recurrence. At least this is the plan and submissions will be made to the HSE and Minister for funding on the basis that if chemos are more tailored to the patients, they are also more cost effective cutting down on recurrences. we have to keep pushing it as much as possible. If you are well at the moment, why not join the PPi section of the ICORG, if you are going to the coffee morning in Dublin next Saturday, speak to Sharon and give her your details. Ovacare is brilliant to help women with OC meet up and discuss issues such as side effects. We need a bigger voice to get better drugs and better attitudes from the Consultants

[annieH1]

Hi Sandiara.i asked for the possibility of this procedure when I was diagnosed in 2014.i couldn't have it as my cancer was too spread out and the procedure wouldn't reach all the cancer.It has shown good results in Australia and a few more countries but it's also not made a difference to many lives.Its dependent on stage,spread,leisions or tumours etc.Its a very severe form of treatment.My Gyneoncologist did see it in use in other countries.

[IrishMollyO]

Hi there

I was at the Irish Cancer Society seminar in the Aviva about two years ago . As a PPC patient I asked a question on the latest treatment and at break time I was approached by a small group of patients who had heard me ask my question . One was a man who was among the rare group of males diagnosed with PPC. They were really eager to tell me about HIPEC treatment being done in the Mater. I think it was the Mater Private. Maybe you could check with that hospital . Sorry I can't find my notes on that seminar . I wish you well. Take care

XXX