For the first time since I started this "journey" in September, 2019, my cancer markers have reached the normal range. In Saskatchewan, the cancer markers used are CA 15-3 with a normal range of 30 or below. On December 24th, 2022, mine were read at 23!! I'm having a CT Scan on Jan. 10th so I hope that confirms that none of my many tumours are growing.
At my age (77), I think this is the best I can expect. I don't think the tumours in my spine, lungs, skin, liver, spleen and lymph nodes will ever go away, but I'm happy enough to maintain my ribociclib & letrozole regime as long as it (and the slow activity of an aged body) keeps them all stable.
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Hazelgreen
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That is wonderful news. It is always so nice to read about great results. Also it is important to see that successful treatment happens over time. Thank you for sharing.
Hi! Isn't it amazing that when the drugs that were meant for your body are used, everything clicks in and is balanced. Here's to a peaceful pain free, or mostly pain free 2023.
congratulations! Mine went to normal on Ibrance. I only had cancer in bones at that time after diagnosed MBC Jan 2016. Went into liver March 2021. Now markers are not normal but scans show I am stable went to Piqray for a year exactly and now Taxil chemo I am 68 soon to 69 yr old
Although we all wish it weren't so interesting, cancer does keep surprising us. Five years before it moved from your bones to your liver! Were your liver enzymes then abnormal, and is that why your oncologist prescribed Piqray, and now Taxil?
congratulations such a good feeling for you! This should correlate with good news on your scan on the 10th. Sounds like all should go well, and like others said nice to know meds work but it could take a bit!
Great news indeed! Gives us all hope! Iβm 73 and never been normal but I did drop to to 171 on Verzenio. Fingers crossed it will continue. Good luck with your scan on the 10th Chris
they use Ca 15-3 and normal high is 32. After stage 4 diagnosis in January 2018 I was 60. Rose to 475 a few months ago as I started Verzenio in December I dropped to 171. Chris
Your graph is indeed interesting. It seems that your levels have been elevated for more than two years. According to the Internet, "non-cancerous conditions that increase CA 15-3 include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and liver disease". Researchers have also found that "elevated levels of CA 15-3 were present in Hispanic and Black females, as well as those with a history of endometriosis or lung cancer". Perhaps your ethnic heritage has something to do with it, but I'm more wondering whether you also have a non-cancerous condition that is contributing to your levels???
That is really interesting. Iβm Scottish so it might rule out ethnic heritage. If I go back to 2018 it shows the same low pattern until the jump in July of 2022. Iβve felt good until recently but Iβve always had stomach problems. The radiologist showed me the cancer t/out my spine which seemed to come from nowhere, though coincides with stopping Xgeva the prior year. Iβll look those conditions up and as Iβm having a CT scan on 1/12 that may shed some more light. Thanks for the info.
yes my onc continues to include the ca 15/3 in my monthly bloods draw for that very reason , despite never having been over 30 . I have only gone up a few points temporarily after Covid vaccines .
Thank you for all your research info β¦ I will have a good read of them ! x
This is such wonderful news! Thank you so much for sharing!! I pray that your scan on the 10th will show great results, and that your current treatment will keep everything stable until we find a cure to end it all!!! β€οΈπ
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