re trials

[nikki9]

I asked my oncologist if i could go on a trial that would be suitable for me, but he said that as i had breast cancer in the past this wouldnt be possible due to the results not differentiating between ovarian and breast cancer. As my breast cancer was seven years ago i had considered myself cured. Has anyone else been told this, although a good doctor my onc. tends to be very gloomy. I am on second line chemo for 2c stage 4 oc. Thank you all for being so supportive love to all xx

[VickyEm]

Hi Nikki

This must be a bit of blow for you. I have been told that I cannot be put forward for a trial as (among other things) I am not unwell enough and there are still treatments that will hopefully work for me when I do become unwell. I gather there is limited space on the trials and they are looking for quite specific criteria before they will accept you in any case.

So don't be too down hearted, as maybe you don't need to go on a trial. Hopefully your current treatment is working and that will give you some remission. Who knows when or if you will need treatment again, and by that time the trial medicines may be available for general use.

Vx

[Hidden]

Hi Nikki,

I was turned down for a trial as well..they have a very strict criteria.. In being elligable for one and various reasons why they take some and not others..my utcome of my recurrence was good best wishes love x G x

[SueLR]

Hi Nikki,

I just wanted to let you know that I have a history of breast cancer and OC and am being considered for a trial of parp inhibitors.

I had breast cancer in 1999 and now have OC stage 3c, because I have the mutated BRCA1 gene. Whether I get on the trial or not will depend on my circumstances being right (for them!) at the time they have places, so it is by no means certain.

Obviously I don't know all your details, and there may be very good reasons for your oncologist saying this, but I just wanted to share that.

I wasn't happy at one point with the way my onoclogist was explaining things to me and I asked for a second opinion. Ovacome gave me the name of an oncologist fairly close to me. I found it very useful. The outcome was the same as my oncologist, but he explained it so well that I understood the reasons and felt much more peaceful.

I would say that was definately worth doing for me.

Wishing you all the best

Sue

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[nikki9]

Thank you so much, it also makes me feel not so alone when I hear someone else has had breast cancer and oc. I feel my onc is fine with present day treatment but dosent seem interested in looking ahead . He can be very negative and never says anything that gives me hope for the future. So thank you once again, by the way how did you find out that you had brca gene. Thank you again nikki x

[SueLR in reply to nikki9]

Hi Nikki,

I suspected I had because we have a family history, so I asked to be referred to the cancer family history unit at the hospital, but I could have contacted them directly. They gave me a screening form which asked for details of all family members with cancer, after which I had an appointment with a genetics counsellor who decided whether to do a blood test or not, which they did. From start to finish it took about 3 months, but the actual blood test took about 4 weeks to come back. The form asked for a lot of detailed information such as relatives dates of birth and death, and addresses and I had to contact living relatives with breast and ovarian cancer to ask them to release their medical records.

I don't know whether this helps, but they said that as I had both cancers before the age of 50 it was very likely I had the mutation before they even tested.

It does make a difference because apparently women will BRCA mutations respond better to chemo and tend to be at the better end of the prognosis scale, and obviously female relatives have the option of being tested, although having said that I think anyone with a relative with OC would be more aware of the symptoms and more vigilant.

Warmest wishes

Sue

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