Avastin/Bevacizumab

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ainemw
ainemw Member Posts: 12
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Dear All, with a diagnosis of HER2 positive, non-metastatic breast cancer, would participation in a trial for Avastin be advisable? 4cm tumor removed - lumpectomy - and seven lymph nodes removed. Any advice much appreciated. Is the trial an opportunity for patients - or opportunism for the doctors/drug company?

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  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited September 2010

    Ainemw,

    First of all I'm so sorry that you have to be here.  You will, however, find many caring people here and a lot of good and accurate information.

    When I was dx back in Feb 2009, I was approached about the Beth trial, but was concerned about the potential se's from Avastin, so I declined.  I read this article a few months ago and it reinforced in my mind that I made the right decision for me. 

    www.breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/new_research/20100720b.jsp

    I realize that this is looking at the benefits of Avastin in the metastatic, HER2-negative setting but my thinking is if it's being nixed here, then what benefit could it provide in the early stage setting and at what cost in respect to potential se's??  I'm all for joining trials to advance research, but it seems to me that the results on adding Avastin are already out....IMHO Embarassed

    Being HER2-positive, there are proven chemo regimens, plus Herceptin already available to you, as well as ongoing trials for new biological targeting agents for the HER2 factor.  Of course at the end of the day you need to make the decision that is right for you.  It's a real confusing time in the beginning.....I remember it well, but it does get a little better once you have a plan in place.  I wish you all the best in your journey and sending big hugs your way.

    (((((((( )))))))) Sandy  

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  • marcy4
    marcy4 Member Posts: 162
    edited September 2010

    When I was going to start treatment, I was also asked to join the BETH trial as Beach described above. At first, I agreed and then after looking into it more closely I declined as well.  If I did not participate in the trial, I could get my chemo closer to home and the sessions would be much shorter.  I was really torn in making my decision.  I understand the importance of research and the contributtion so many women have made by participating in clinical trials, but I got really scared the more I read about the possible side effects.   Carefully check into it and then make the decsion you feel most comfortable with.

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited September 2010

    Hi There,

    i joined the study.  I had to stop the study due to my blood pressure rising after 6 treatments.  But, other than that, I had no side effects. fwiw-after a few months, my blood pressure returned to normal. I do know that there is another person on this website who is currently in the study.   If you do a search on Beth Study, you could probably find more out into.

    Good luck.  It was hard for me to know what to do too.  But, I wanted to give this everything I possibly could.

    V

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  • ainemw
    ainemw Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2010

    Thank you so much Beach, March4, Vmarie. When I received the replies I was overcome with  relief and gratitude. There are no easy answers and the information on this forum, about breast cancer in general, has raised more questions than it has answered for me. That is a very good thing!

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