avastin clinical trial

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sircom
sircom Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Hi breast cancer sisters,

I was just diagnosed with stage II invasive ductal cancer (tumor activity grade III). And to add to the load of info I am trying to process, was offered the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial of Avastin (or bevacizumab), which would be administered along with the standard treatment. I have to decide ASAP whether to take part or not, as the pre-op chemo has to start immediately. 

Here's my dilemma: Avastin has been shown to reduce tumor size in the short term and to stop short term survival rates in advanced cancers.But many studies have shown it doesn't really improve long term survival. If I do the trial it means an extra 7 months of chemo and while the side-effects don't seem to be drastic (except for a slight chance of heart damage!!), there are the usual fatigue etc. symptoms. I have two very small kids and am always tired anyway. Don't know if I could take an extra 7 months of drugs.

Has anyone out there tried Avastin? Are the side effects bad? Do I take the risk? This could be the drug of the future...The docs have not been helpful in my decision-making.

Thanks,

Meg
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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited September 2008

    I have done Avastin for months with very little side effects. (8 mths total)  One is tightness in the chest wall.  I show no heart damage after all this time.  It has been shown to be a good chemo drug.  Why so much longer on chemo?  It is usually give with the rest of your tx.  Do you have clear margins? or node involvement?  If these are factor I would go for it.  But if not...I would keep it on the back burner if you should need it later.  I would really like to know about the seven month thing... I'm sure it something to do with the trial.  I would see if some other clinic could do it with a shorter tx time possibly?

    Best wishes on you decision,

    Flalady

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  • sircom
    sircom Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2008
    thanks for your reply.I do have node involvement.  good to know that thre are few side effects. We can't get the drug here in Canada, except in clinical trials (and probably private clinics at great expense!)

    M
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