Got my gene test back that tells me if chemo will help or not.

[slipslidingaway]

13. Wishing I had taken notes last night ...

attended a local seminar about current cancer treatments. A statement caught my attention, most of us have one or more cancers (possibly several) in our body when we die, but it is all about how our immune system reacts and then how the cancer responds and then outsmarts our own immune system, that is when we run into trouble (my words)

Going along with what is going on, maybe we are taxing our immune systems too much, and it can be from environmental issues to not getting up and moving, more stress, less laughter etc. it could all play a part. They are looking more towards common denominators across a wide spectrum of cancers, one trial drug they spoke of had a positive effect across 20 different types of cancer. In some instances immunotherapy is the preferred first line treatment, foregoing traditional chemo.

All of this science is somewhat beyond my comprehension, but after relapsing in late 2014 with acute myeloid leukemia and another stem cell transplant, my husband is now on a drug which is FDA approved for liver, kidney and thyroid cancer. It is being used in an 'investigational' setting as it is already approved for other cancers, but has shown some promise against a certain gene mutation. He'll go off this drug in December, so a little concerned, has this helped, what happens when he stops this drug. They spoke of these inhibitor drugs last night, but again I cannot relate the science adequately.

All we can do is try and be informed 'consumers' of the latest advances and make the best of the situation ... get moving, laugh, reduce stress ... well that idea could have it's own comedy show! Life or death situation plus mounting bills, what could be less stressful

Speaking of studies there was some discussion of prostrate cancer, one researcher stated that was an easier cancer to study as there is so much information out there on that particular cancer, a high PSA test result should not always result in a biopsy, there are other blood tests (he mentioned five) that can be done to guide that decision. Most men die with prostrate cancer, the cancer was not what got them in the end.

A slow growing and slow spreading, while not the most pleasant revelation to hear sounds OK. Studies are proposed by those who have an interest in a particular area, one researcher just received a large grant for lung cancer, panel was 50% by gender. I do believe that as more women enter the research field, studies will be driven to cancers that more commonly affect women.

Also stated that lung cancer is still high on the list for poor outcomes, unfortunately they have not advanced significantly, believe only 2% overall survival rate over 40 years, death rate is higher than breast cancer, but there are new screening tools that can detect lung cancer earlier, CT scans for ex-smokers in addition to biomarkers in the blood.

Be vigilant, but do not drive yourself crazy, move and ... Laugh.