Avastin

I am on the gog 213 study. I have recieved avastin twenty one times. Part of the avastin infusions were given in combination with carbo, taxol for six times during chemo for a reoccurence last June. Jan 2011 I continued on just evastin. In the GOG 213 trial you stay on it until there is a reoccurence. I am the only one left on this study where i am .My understanding from my Doctor is that avastin is not FDA approved for ovarian cancer yet. The trials running are for all the studies to gather data. My trial is a third stage trial. The avastin discontinued for breast cancer was no longer approved because they said the risks and reoccurencen time (it was about four months difference) was not warranted. When they say it's not about money it often about the money.I would be surprised if insurance companys continued to pay if it has been disapproved for breast cancer. That is why all the studies are being done now by the companies to gather data to show cost and length off reoccurence does make a difference. The company's are paying for the avastin at this point in the ovarian studies. There are some cancers colon, brain that are FDA approved for avastin to be used ( more likely the insurance company's will pay if FDA) I am desperately trying to stay on avastin for as long as I can to help get it on record for all our teal sisters. There are sacrifices you must make on avastin. A good example is you can't have surgerys because of bleeding. I needed surgery because damage was done last year during an intubation to remove a metastis node from my neck and they paralyzed one of my vocal cords. I did not want to give up the study, so there are choices that have to be made, but that is true in life for all of us. Hope this helps. Judy