2 new drugs for bc
Two new drug combos fight advanced breast cancer.
Afinitor boosted survival in women with hormone receptor postive breast cancer but not approved by the FDA.
The other drug pertuzumab improved survival with HER-2 Postive tumor but also hasn't received approval by the FDA
Cost could be up to a several thousand dollars a month YIKES!!!!
No wonder with the cost it isn't approved but it said Doctors are looking into it.
Lynn Smith
Comments
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Sue, I agreeRitzy said:Encouraging!
This is encouraging news Lynn! Any drug they can find to help the pink sisters is always good news!
I just wish they would find a cure, so, no one would have to go thru bc ever again.
Thanks for posting this!
Sue
but they won't find a cure until they appropriate more of the funds to bc research. Less than 3% of all monies collected go to bc research!
But I always happy when they release new drugs, maybe they can keep me alive long enough til they find a cure.0 -
Yest it isRitzy said:Encouraging!
This is encouraging news Lynn! Any drug they can find to help the pink sisters is always good news!
I just wish they would find a cure, so, no one would have to go thru bc ever again.
Thanks for posting this!
Sue
Yes it is encouraging and it mentioned those with advanced stages of BC. I feel someday there will be a cure for bc. Not sure in my time but in the future.
The thing that worries me so many young people are dx and it is in advanced stages. They don't get mammos and think they are safe. I told my granddaughter to do self exams since her great grandma, grandma and cousin had bc. She's 17. I worry about my granddaughters.
Lynn Smith0 -
CamulLynn Smith said:Yest it is
Yes it is encouraging and it mentioned those with advanced stages of BC. I feel someday there will be a cure for bc. Not sure in my time but in the future.
The thing that worries me so many young people are dx and it is in advanced stages. They don't get mammos and think they are safe. I told my granddaughter to do self exams since her great grandma, grandma and cousin had bc. She's 17. I worry about my granddaughters.
Lynn Smith
I agree.I think about you when reading your posts and your son having problems.Think of both of you.I wish it will happen soon for you and others.Wishing the best for you and your son.
3% of the funds isn't much.
Lynn Smith0 -
I hadn't seen or heard thisLynn Smith said:Yest it is
Yes it is encouraging and it mentioned those with advanced stages of BC. I feel someday there will be a cure for bc. Not sure in my time but in the future.
The thing that worries me so many young people are dx and it is in advanced stages. They don't get mammos and think they are safe. I told my granddaughter to do self exams since her great grandma, grandma and cousin had bc. She's 17. I worry about my granddaughters.
Lynn Smith
I hadn't seen or heard this yet Lynn, so, thanks. It is scary to see how many young people are being diagnosed anymore. And, I don't think many, if any, are getting even a baseline mammo at the age of 30 or 35, which I think they all should.
Hugs, Lex0 -
Thanks for your post Lynn.Alexis F said:I hadn't seen or heard this
I hadn't seen or heard this yet Lynn, so, thanks. It is scary to see how many young people are being diagnosed anymore. And, I don't think many, if any, are getting even a baseline mammo at the age of 30 or 35, which I think they all should.
Hugs, Lex
Thanks for your post Lynn. It is a shame it will or does cost thousands of dollars. Hopefully it will be covered by insurance eventually so whomever might need it can get it.
Hugs, Megan0 -
Cost of Afinitor, one of the drugs
I had heard of something on the pipe line a while back. I am of course interested in Afinitor as it is for those who use hormonal therapy. Pertuzumab is for Her2 people.
Cost, according to the newspaper I read this morning it is $11,000.00 for a 30 day supply of Afinitor.
Online, I found this:
A 5 mg tablet is $228.75 ($6,862.50 for a 30 days supply) a tablet while 10 mg is $241.25 ($7237.50 for a 30 days). A bit outrageous.
Faslodex cost my insurance company $2000.00 a shot. They paid the entire cost. When I began that drug, I had a booster (2 shots - $4000.00) they paid. Femara is a pill and though I have a prescription plan with my health insurance I paid the highest level of co-pay. I have been on a vacation from the drug when I progressed. It has now gone generic. I believe now I would pay the lowest level for co-pay. I will be starting the drug soon and so I will know.
I wonder what the hand of the insurance company has in having the pharmaceutical companies make tablets or pills for cancer drugs now, so we pay. An IV or anything given at the Cancer Center is picked up by insurance companies when we pick up the drug from the pharmacy, we pay.
I understand that they have to charge to recover their expenses they have while they find a drug that will help cure cancer or at least help prolong life. Still it is a lot of money for a pill.
Thanks for posting,
Doris0 -
Cure, even for Breast Cancer is a long way in the FutureLynn Smith said:Yest it is
Yes it is encouraging and it mentioned those with advanced stages of BC. I feel someday there will be a cure for bc. Not sure in my time but in the future.
The thing that worries me so many young people are dx and it is in advanced stages. They don't get mammos and think they are safe. I told my granddaughter to do self exams since her great grandma, grandma and cousin had bc. She's 17. I worry about my granddaughters.
Lynn Smith
Hi Lynn,
I certainly would encourage your granddaughters to be very pro active with their breast. Make certain they know that bc doesn't discriminate in regards to age 18 isn't unheard of and I did read some child had breast cancer last year, around 10 years old. I did have breast at age 9 1/2 and began my periods at that age. My neighbor was 92 years and we both had a tumors out the same day at different hospitals.
I hope in time, they will give young people like your granddaughter who have a family history a yearly test like a ct scan or something of that kind. You have every right to worry.
There are so many variable to this disease that I wonder even in this century if they will find a cure.
Best,
Doris0 -
Can't...SIROD said:Cost of Afinitor, one of the drugs
I had heard of something on the pipe line a while back. I am of course interested in Afinitor as it is for those who use hormonal therapy. Pertuzumab is for Her2 people.
Cost, according to the newspaper I read this morning it is $11,000.00 for a 30 day supply of Afinitor.
Online, I found this:
A 5 mg tablet is $228.75 ($6,862.50 for a 30 days supply) a tablet while 10 mg is $241.25 ($7237.50 for a 30 days). A bit outrageous.
Faslodex cost my insurance company $2000.00 a shot. They paid the entire cost. When I began that drug, I had a booster (2 shots - $4000.00) they paid. Femara is a pill and though I have a prescription plan with my health insurance I paid the highest level of co-pay. I have been on a vacation from the drug when I progressed. It has now gone generic. I believe now I would pay the lowest level for co-pay. I will be starting the drug soon and so I will know.
I wonder what the hand of the insurance company has in having the pharmaceutical companies make tablets or pills for cancer drugs now, so we pay. An IV or anything given at the Cancer Center is picked up by insurance companies when we pick up the drug from the pharmacy, we pay.
I understand that they have to charge to recover their expenses they have while they find a drug that will help cure cancer or at least help prolong life. Still it is a lot of money for a pill.
Thanks for posting,
Doris
Put a price on a human life....my Xeloda is over $ 3000.00 for a 14 day supply....Avastin is out of sight! Lynn I read about these two drugs and have seen it on national news twice...let's keep our fingers crossed! Thanks, Lynn for posting this...
When the find the CAUSE of cancer they'll then find a cure..let's pray it's soon!
Hugs, Nancy0 -
They raise enough BC Funds, but not for stage IVcamul said:Sue, I agree
but they won't find a cure until they appropriate more of the funds to bc research. Less than 3% of all monies collected go to bc research!
But I always happy when they release new drugs, maybe they can keep me alive long enough til they find a cure.
There is something like 6 billion dollars a year raised for breast cancer research. The trouble is only a few hundred scientist are working to cure metastatic breast cancer and that is the only stage that kills. If they cure us, the other stages will follow.
If they took the other money and only funded scientists who are researching with finding a more drugs for metastatic bc, then we might be getting somewhere. I was sorry they didn't find something for those who are triple negative. I am happy for HER2 and for ER/PR+ but that leaves a whole lot of other women out.
The first time I posted on this site was in regards to the Relay for Life. I ask my state's chapter to include those who are living with metastatic disease. I wasn't going to walk in the survivor one, because this disease will kill me. I am not a survivor in the sense that it was meant, that you have "overcome" the disease. I still and always will have it until it kills me. I am certainly not dead, so I wasn't walking the memorial walk in advance. They would not agree to make the extra one for those of us in this category. I thought it made sense to acknowledge the progress that has been done so far. So FAR is the keyword.
This year in Maryland, ACS Relay for Life "welcomed women with Stage IV"
Here is a little of it from USA Today:
Dian Corneliussen-James launched her own group, Metavivor, in Annapolis. It has even created its own ribbon, with blue, teal and pink stripes. The group helps raise money for research into metastasis, which Corneliussen-James says is critically underfunded.
Lange says there's a growing awareness that women with metastatic disease have been left out; she praises group such as the American Cancer Society for working to include them. A recent "Relay for Life" in Maryland, she says, had a sign welcoming both "survivors and metavivors," she says.
I felt vindicated. When I posted a few years ago on the relay and inquired this forum their opinions, if tar and feathering was virtually permitted, that would have happened to me. All I wanted is for people to see Stage IV, because it's about Funding. Funding Stage IV. It might not help me or you but someone else may be helped by us. Stage IV needs to speak out, funding, funding, and more funds now!
Off my soap box,
Doris0 -
Isn't it beyond sad thatcamul said:Sue, I agree
but they won't find a cure until they appropriate more of the funds to bc research. Less than 3% of all monies collected go to bc research!
But I always happy when they release new drugs, maybe they can keep me alive long enough til they find a cure.
Isn't it beyond sad that like you said, less than 3% goes for bc research. That percentage needs to go up, way up Carol.
As always, you know I am praying for you,
Sue 0 -
Nancy,OMG your XelodaMAJW said:Can't...
Put a price on a human life....my Xeloda is over $ 3000.00 for a 14 day supply....Avastin is out of sight! Lynn I read about these two drugs and have seen it on national news twice...let's keep our fingers crossed! Thanks, Lynn for posting this...
When the find the CAUSE of cancer they'll then find a cure..let's pray it's soon!
Hugs, Nancy
OMG your Xeloda is out of sight in cost.I wish the best for you.It amazes me the cost of cancer meds but they are needed.I only take tamoxifin.Not costly to me but don't know what the insurance pays.I care what I pay.
Praying someday for a cure and praying for you.Prayer gets me through alot in my life. We have to have FAITH.I'm older than most on here but I want another 30 years.I am 64 but my plan is to live a long life like some of my family members.I even tell my friends and doctors what my wish is.
My Aunt is 95 and walks 1-2 miles when the weather is good. That is my wish/dream.
You are Right.Can't put a price on human life!!!!!!
Lynn Smith0 -
I also heard & read aboutLynn Smith said:Yest it is
Yes it is encouraging and it mentioned those with advanced stages of BC. I feel someday there will be a cure for bc. Not sure in my time but in the future.
The thing that worries me so many young people are dx and it is in advanced stages. They don't get mammos and think they are safe. I told my granddaughter to do self exams since her great grandma, grandma and cousin had bc. She's 17. I worry about my granddaughters.
Lynn Smith
I also heard & read about this. Any new drug they can find to help with bc is always reason to celebrate.
Thanks Lynn!0 -
Lynn..Lynn Smith said:Nancy,OMG your Xeloda
OMG your Xeloda is out of sight in cost.I wish the best for you.It amazes me the cost of cancer meds but they are needed.I only take tamoxifin.Not costly to me but don't know what the insurance pays.I care what I pay.
Praying someday for a cure and praying for you.Prayer gets me through alot in my life. We have to have FAITH.I'm older than most on here but I want another 30 years.I am 64 but my plan is to live a long life like some of my family members.I even tell my friends and doctors what my wish is.
My Aunt is 95 and walks 1-2 miles when the weather is good. That is my wish/dream.
You are Right.Can't put a price on human life!!!!!!
Lynn Smith
I'm with you in wanting another 30 years! Same here, I had an Aunt who lived to be 95, my Mom's sister, yet my mother passed away at 62...go figure! And your not alone here in age...I'm 60...
Hugs, Nancy0 -
It is so not right and soMAJW said:Can't...
Put a price on a human life....my Xeloda is over $ 3000.00 for a 14 day supply....Avastin is out of sight! Lynn I read about these two drugs and have seen it on national news twice...let's keep our fingers crossed! Thanks, Lynn for posting this...
When the find the CAUSE of cancer they'll then find a cure..let's pray it's soon!
Hugs, Nancy
It is so not right and so unbelievable the costs of these drugs. What is wrong with the drug companies and our government? Seriously, these important drugs in the fight for bc should be very affordable. Something really should be done. Thank goodness the insurance companies do pay for most of it.
Sue 0 -
AfinitorRitzy said:It is so not right and so
It is so not right and so unbelievable the costs of these drugs. What is wrong with the drug companies and our government? Seriously, these important drugs in the fight for bc should be very affordable. Something really should be done. Thank goodness the insurance companies do pay for most of it.
Sue
I just read on another forum that this woman with progression ask to take Afinitor. The insurance has refused to pay for it stating it is being prescribed outside it's FDA approved use. Another woman going to the Burzynski Clinic was given the drug. This clinic is not approved by insurance company and they take no insurance, so it's out of pocket that you pay when you go there.
Is it still in clinical trial and that is why it is not FDA approved? She is hormonal ER+ and been on all of them too. She was given a 2 week sample but will run out soon.
Wow!
Doris0 -
If...SIROD said:Afinitor
I just read on another forum that this woman with progression ask to take Afinitor. The insurance has refused to pay for it stating it is being prescribed outside it's FDA approved use. Another woman going to the Burzynski Clinic was given the drug. This clinic is not approved by insurance company and they take no insurance, so it's out of pocket that you pay when you go there.
Is it still in clinical trial and that is why it is not FDA approved? She is hormonal ER+ and been on all of them too. She was given a 2 week sample but will run out soon.
Wow!
Doris
It's a clinical trial...the manufacturer pays for the drug! I know this from personal experience and even if it is not FDA approved one type many, many times the maker will pay for the drug for "off use" if the insurance won't cover it.....again I know this from personal experience...!0 -
Thank you Lynn for postingLynn Smith said:Nancy,OMG your Xeloda
OMG your Xeloda is out of sight in cost.I wish the best for you.It amazes me the cost of cancer meds but they are needed.I only take tamoxifin.Not costly to me but don't know what the insurance pays.I care what I pay.
Praying someday for a cure and praying for you.Prayer gets me through alot in my life. We have to have FAITH.I'm older than most on here but I want another 30 years.I am 64 but my plan is to live a long life like some of my family members.I even tell my friends and doctors what my wish is.
My Aunt is 95 and walks 1-2 miles when the weather is good. That is my wish/dream.
You are Right.Can't put a price on human life!!!!!!
Lynn Smith
Thank you Lynn for posting this!
Hugs, Leeza0
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