Just a quick post to say that my CA125 was 6 again this week. It is now over 4 years since my last dose of chemo - Nov 7th 2014. And it will be 10 years soon since diagnosis in early September 2009. I am so thankful that ibuprofen appears to be working for me as an anti-cancer agent. More info is coming out regularly re aspirin and ibuprofen/other NSAIDs as agents against cancer. See my last post a few days ago.
It seems oncologists are willing these days to recommend or agree to use of aspirin in particular, 75mg once daily to try to prevent cancer recurrence. And there is increasing evidence that this is effective for some with cancer. Please see my previous posts.
Best wishes to you all.
Eileen x
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The specific gene mutation I wrote about a few days ago (PIK3CA) is obviously an important discovery re how aspirin and NSAIDs work against cancer. However it is thought that aspirin and NSAIDs may work in other ways against cancer, and these need more research to sort out. See an article I have linked to before
This is a very good article from 2016, and mentions PIK3CA. Note especially under Results, and Conclusions and Implications in the Abstract at the start. Note also, under Introduction, the important paragraph starting Chan et al... Cellular apoptosis means killing of cells. And see the Conclusions at end of article - very important. There is a need for more trials, they say. In the meantime, they say, aspirin should be considered as an additional treatment in cancer patients - oncologists should discuss this with their patients.
Hope this helps. Basic message: aspirin/NSAIDs may help v cancer in a variety of ways, in addition to PIK3CA mutation, yet to be discovered/proven by trials. So it is still worth trying.
OTC ibuprofen is 200mg in the US. Seems I read the dosage suggested here is 75mg ibuprofen - is that right? Thank you. It’s truly wonderful and encouraging to read positive posts!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Fay. I thought I read to get a script from the doctor for the lower dosage which confused me since 200mg is otc. Hope you are doing well! Blessings!
No, the dose of aspirin is 75mg once daily. I think you have a different size of aspirin in the USA. It is a very small dose of aspirin, often called "baby aspirin" here, but found to be sufficient. I take ibuprofen 400mg three times a day, but you MUST take a stomach protector like omeprazole 20mg daily if taking ibuprofen or similar to protect from stomach bleeds. All this needs to be discussed with your doctor/oncologist. Don't take both ibuprofen and aspirin - take one or the other.
Did you see that Dr Stewart Adams who was the lead discoverer of Ibuprofen (trade name Brufen) died just a day ago aged 95. He used it as a hangover remedy as we all did! (Still do if needed but not as much as when I was in my clubbing days). Even better as a hangover prevention. A couple of tablets with a big glass of water after a night out before I went to bed. No hangover. 👍.
No, I didn't see that. Actually it's probably not a good thing to take after a load of alcohol because of risk of irritating stomach and causing bleeding, but never mind, you have got away with it! Paracetamol, 2 x 500mg tablets, is safer! Yes, those were the days!
Great news Eileen, This subject is on my list for discussion with my oncologist next week. I am wondering why you have not had a parp inhibitor? Is it because the ibuprofen works for you and you not brca affected?
I have just passed my 10 year survival anniversary, I haven't tried aspirin, did take turmeric for a year, but stopped it due to bowel issues( too much info, I know!) Will ask my onc about the aspirin when I go for check up at the end of the month tho. am on 6 monthly check ups now, due end Feb. Still got my fingers and toes crossed.
Hi Sue. I remember seeing your name over the years. Thanks very much. Yes, looking at your past story, I would think aspirin might well be a good idea, worth discussing with your oncologist.
Congrats to you on passing 10 years. Good luck at end of February.
So amazing and encouraging... I really applaud you. If only I could get down to a low CA125 on my current chemo cocktail 🙏 I shall introduce low dosage (75mg) aspirin. I am currently on a pain killer daily as part of my cocktail ( extoririb) which is a NSAID... who knows we all are willing to do anything. Metformin is also a well documented drug apparently that some people use too ( this needs a prescription) x worth reading up on Andy. Discussing with oncologists to understand these further.
If you are on an NSAID then don't add in aspirin, I would say, as you risk stomach bleeding etc and the NSAID should act like aspirin. Yes, discuss all that with your oncologist. Yes, metformin has also got anti-cancer effects.
Fantastic news, Eileen. If there was money to be made in ibuprofen there would be clinical trials all over the place. Very pleased it is working for you and, provided you (as I know you do) take a stomach protection drug, there is no need to watch your blood counts closely like there is for PARP inhibitors. Long may it continue to do the job xx
Thanks very much for that link. This trial is looking at aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) as a possible preventive of ovarian cancer, rather than a treatment, it appears. But it is a good start. Thanks again.
Thanks very much. Yes, a good stomach protector like omeprazole 20mg daily is essential if taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. Yes, I have been very fortunate in responding to ibuprofen.
Thanks so much for this information and I am now reading all of your previous posts. I am Ovarian Stage 3C and am doing all I can to keep my CA125 down. I finally have hit 12 and am juicing plus cut out all sugar and meat. The chemo makes me so sick I struggle with it so badly I can't even work. I have been battling this for a year now and had such extensive surgery plus a double bowel resection a year ago but am hanging in there.
I would love to read your story and am very interested in trying the ibuprofen.
And where can I get the omeprazole?
Also can you share the link to your story? I am definitely going to try the ibuprofen and it will probably help with all this daily pain I have from the surgeries. Even a year later and I suffer so much.
Thanks for sharing this information to help others! God Bless you and I pray that your NED continues! You are an inspiration to all of us!
Thanks very much Cindy. My story can be reached by just clicking on my name, and all the details come up. They should do anyway. You should speak to a doctor/oncologist before starting ibuprofen and omeprazole, as I don't know all your past medical story, or what you are taking now. It is possible you might not be suitable to take ibuprofen and omeprazole. Omeprazole can be bought over the counter, in UK, but is quite expensive. You should definitely speak to your doctor/oncologist before starting this.
That is great that your CA125 has got to 12. Good luck with all you are going through.
I’m 70 now, had several rounds up and down all the way to ca125 to 7
Became platinum resistant, went to olaparib, then other chemo, now waiting for Zejula to arrive...because now Ca125 is up to 300
I’ve had some good years and I’ve seen all my grandchildren being born and enter school! which I didn’t think I would.
At one point I was taking ibuprofen and Omeprezole because I saw your posts and it was working great.
Then on one chemo I was not supposed to take any extra med and I stopped
I also lost you!
Found you again and not on chemo.
I’m going to take Zejula soon and go back on omaprezole and ibuprofen
I believe that cancer is caused by inflammation and infection
My doctor also wants to check into an upcoming immunotherapy that will be available in a couple of months in Rockville, Maryland, about half hour from where I reside.
I know you are a doctor. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for me!
Yes, if you get the chance try to get back on ibuprofen and omeprazole if your oncologist is happy with that. Glad you have seen all your grandchildren born and entering school. I feel the same, didn't think I would see any grandchildren. It's lovely.
Congratulations, Eileen! That’s great news - hoping you stay in permanent remission and that your excellent results continue. 🎉 🍾 With very best wishes, Mel xx.
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