Break in Avastin

[pants22]

HI Everyone

Has anyone got any thoughts or experience of a break in their Avastin cycle... Briefly I had my 4th infusion on 4th December 2020 then found out I need a mastectomy on 19th January for a stage 3 breast and lymph node cancer. My 2 cancers are unrelated apparently.

So... After healing I think end of February is likely to restart my Avastin... Will this 12 week break in the cycle have caused my residual cancer to start rampaging again? Does anyone have similar to share? I just feel plain greedy... 2 separate cancers all to myself.

Thankyou sisters.

[Louise62]

Hello there. I wish I had some words of wisdom to share with you regarding your particular situation with Avastin. I do want to tell you that you are not alone. I am so very sorry that you have had to endure not one, but two diagnoses. It just doesn’t seem fair or ok!!! I am going to pray for you right now. May God heal your every disease. Sonja

[Natsmb]

I took Avastin for almost 2 years. The longest break I had was about the same length of time as yours- almost 12 weeks. I did indeed have some increase in my CA-125 counts after that break but not an extraordinary jump. At least not that my oncologist seemed concerned with. I wasn't getting fabulous results on the Avastin anyway though- it was more of less just stabilizing the disease. I think it jumped from a CA-125 of about 195 or so to about 265 or by the end of the break (had lung surgery- ironically enough, to address some of the more drastic side effects of my reaction to avastin).if you are doing better than I did on Avastin you will probably be just fine.

[Marienka in reply to Natsmb]

Hello NatsmbDid you take Avastin alone? I will be starting Avastin shortly, in addition to PARB inhibitor Zejula, which wasn’t quite doing the job.

[Natsmb in reply to Marienka]

Yes. I took avastin alone. I think I end up with some of the more concentrated severe side effects. Not everybody gets those. I was able to tolerate it for a while.

[SUE7777]

Hi Pants22, I am really sorry about your situation. You can't have surgery while on Avastin as the Avastin will stop the healing process so the oncs are doing the right thing and I am sure you will be looked after and be fine. Hope this helps. All the very best and take care. Sue xx

[Ceilidhmom]

Hi, I can’t give you any advice about the avastin but just wanted to give you some positive support. In 2016 I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , 27 years after having estrogen positive breast cancer in 1989. While going for tests after my mastectomy they found the ovarian so had to deal with 2 cancers. Did they recommend genetic testing because they then found out I carried the brca 2 mutation. Because of the mutation I can be on Lynparza. Just wanted to say you can get through this. Sending you lots of positive vibes.

[Leniko]

I’m so sorry you have two very big struggles! I took a break from Avastin and had a recurrence. I have now been on Avastin every 4 weeks for a looong time. Just graduated to every 6 weeks. My CA 125 has held steady. My Onco says it stays in your system for awhile. I believe I will be on it for quite a while. It keeps my inoperable tumor from growing. Good luck to you!