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Breast Cancer Network Australia
Secondary Breast Cancer E-Bulletin 10
Seasons Greetings! BCNA would like to wish you a safe and happy festive season and best wishes for the New Year. Welcome to the final 2007 edition of the Secondary Breast Cancer E-Bulletin, we hope that you find the information of interest.
News and Current Affairs
Tykerb Update
As you will be aware from previous E-Bulletins, Tykerb is a relatively new treatment option for women living with secondary breast cancer for whom Herceptin has proven to be ineffective. Tykerb is not currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Women in Australia had been able to access this drug at no cost through GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) Tykerb Access Program (TAP). However women who are enrolling in the TAP from December 1, will be charged $16,000 for the first four treatments, under what GSK calls their ‘cost sharing' arrangement. If Tykerb is effective, these women will then continue to receive the drug at no cost. Those women already enrolled in the TAP before December 1, will not be effected by these changes.
BCNA wrote to GSK in November urging them to extend the TAP at least until a decision is made by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) about listing Tykerb on the PBS, due at their next meeting in March 2008. We have also urged them to, at the very least, develop a more genuine cost sharing arrangement. GSK has refused. BCNA is extremely disappointed at GSK's failure to act, and surprised that their earlier commitment to achieving better outcomes for women seems to be weakening. BCNA will continue to lobby GSK to extend the TAP. To view the latest news about Tykerb, click here.
Palliative Care Australia Report
Palliative Care Australia, in collaboration with the Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education, have prepared a new report to help inform health professionals, families and carers about devices that can assist with symptom control for distressing symptoms such as unrelieved pain. This report was developed because Graseby Syringe Drivers which have represented the industry standard in devices to assist in pain management, are to be phased out of the Australian market over the next five years. To access the full report click here.
BCNA News
Harnessing Hope, Overcoming Hurdles forum in Brisbane
Helen Collyer, a BCNA member living with secondary breast cancer, presented her inspiring personal story at our third Harnessing Hope, Overcoming Hurdles forum for women with secondary breast cancer in Brisbane on 21 November 2007. Helen is a former member of BCNA's Advanced Breast Cancer Working Party and as such played an important role in the development of BCNA's Hope & Hurdles Pack.
The forum was a great success with more than 60 women with secondary breast cancer attending, and more than 35 partners, family members and friends. Many women commented that it was a great opportunity for them to connect with others living with secondary breast cancer, to learn more, and to talk with others. The forum also included presentations from clinical oncologist Dr Nicole McCarthy on medical and treatment issues, and Stephanie Dowrick who offered inspiring words and a relaxing meditation session after lunch. For more information about these forums click here.
BCNA in the Media
The launch of BCNA's Hope & Hurdles Pack in Brisbane was accompanied by an interview on Radio National's Life Matters program featuring BCNA member Helen Collyer, and BCNA's CEO Lyn Swinburne. Listen to the inspiring interview or download a transcript from the ABC website here.
The Inside Story
The Inside Story Issue 7 is now available.The Inside Story is a supplement to The Beacon, and focuses specifically on issues for women with secondary breast cancer. This edition includes coverage of the latest Hope & Hurdles forum, an update on the changes to superanuation legislation which will allow people with a terminal illness to access their superannuation tax free, and personal stories from women living with secondary breast cancer. If you are not currently receiving The Inside Story or The Beacon magazine you can subscrive via our website.
Research Updates First-Line Chemotherapy for HER-2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Who Received Anthracyclines as Adjuvant Treatment
In this article in The Oncologist the authors discuss the benefit of retreatment with anthracyclines for women with secondary breast cancer. This article was based on a review of outcomes of four studies previously undertaken in this area. The authors found that retreatment with anthracyclines-based chemotherapy should still be considered as a treatment option even when previous adjuvant therapy included anthracycline-based chemotherapy, although the effectiveness could be lower.
In the second part of the review various avenues of first line chemotherapy were considered. The authors concluded that there needs to be more clinical research undertaken in this area. The full article is available online by clicking on the link, and includes interesting levels of detail on chemotherapy for those interested.
Full Article
Evaluation of 2 Whole-Brain Radiotherapy Schedules and Prognostic Factors for Brain Metastases in Breast Cancer Patients
The authors in the journal Cancer discussed a retrospective study that found that a short whole-brain radiotherapy treatment (WBRT) regimen over 5 days would be as beneficial as a longer regimen of two weeks to four weeks. The shorter regimen has been shown to provide survival rates similar to that, that has been achieved with longer regiments. Whole-brain radiotherapy treatment is often used for women with breast cancer metastases in order to extend survival.
Abstract
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychological and Activity-Based Interventions for Cancer-Related Fatigue
In this article in the journal of Health Psychology the authors discussed randomised controlled trials of psychological and activity-based interventions involving adult cancer patients in which fatigue occurred. The authors discussed how fatigue can be a common and distressing symptom that cancer patients experience. Researchers found some support for non-pharmacological interventions for managing cancer-specific fatigue, although further research is required.
Abstract
Information and Resources
Aussie Forum
The Aussie Breast Cancer Forum is a web-based forum for women to ‘chat' to other women with breast cancer living in Australia. Women can go online to talk about experiences of living with secondary breast cancer, and to ask questions. Common topics for discussion include tumour markers, treatment options and superannuation. To access Aussie Breast Cancer Forum click here http://www.bcaus.org.au/.
Gelclair®.
Through one of our Hope & Hurdles forums we were alerted to a new product aimed at reducing the pain associated with mouth ulcers, a common side effect for women undergoing chemotherapy. Gelclair is a concentrated oral gel that works by forming a barrier inside the mouth, protecting the nerve endings that cause the pain associated with mouth ulcers. It is designed to be non-numbing, non-stinging, and non-drying, which can help make eating and drinking easier. It's currently available on prescription. If you are interested, you might like to get some more information from your General Practitioner.
Let us know...
We want to be sure that our E-Bulletins contain information that is helpful and relevant to you. Please email any suggestions to us at
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We are always keen to include personal stories in The Beacon, The Inside Story supplement or on our website. Sometimes writing about a particular part of the journey can be really helpful for other readers. If you are inspired, please send us your half page story (including a photo of yourself) to
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The information contained in this E-Bulletin has been gathered from various sources to keep E-List members up-to-date with the latest relevant news and information. The contents of the listings are not necessarily endorsed by BCNA.
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