Chemo sensitivity testing is something else I wish my Oncologist would have made me aware of. Did you know that different chemo regimens can be tested on your tumor cells? This testing can even be done before you start chemo to test the efficacy of the drugs being used. What a novel concept!
Before chemo, I was aware of the Oncotype Dx test which my Oncologist confirmed is only for women that are estrogen receptor positive to determine the aggressiveness of their cancer. I was told that because I was triple negative, AC-T was the regimen that worked the best and that was the end of the conversation. Unfortunately, even if my tumor was tested, I don't know if that would have changed the course of action. Our medical system is just not there yet but hopefully there will be a day where chemo is more individualized because people's cancers respond differently.
For example, my testing showed that Carboplatin which is a drug often combined with Taxol for women that are BRCA positive, was not effective. The response of my cells was 20% where the optimal response is 100%. Xeloda (also known as Capecitabine) on the the other hand was 85%. Other non-chemo therapies can also be tested such as mistletoe which is commonly used by Naturopaths. I tested two types of Mistletoe and got very different responses. Helixor was less than 10% and Iscador was 50%. Unfortunately I have been taking Helixor since completing radiation which is frustrating but I'm glad I did this test because who knows how much money I would have spent on something that was not effective. The effect it had on my body is also a concern because even natural therapies can have ramifications.
Since I received the results of the Oncoblot test, I have been gathering as much information as possible to help determine next steps and this chemo-sensitivity testing is just one piece to the puzzle. Unfortunately it is not cheap at approximately $500 per substance that you want to test but if you are able to afford it, this may be a good idea either before you start chemo or even afterwards if like me, you do not have a PCR (pathologic complete response) and are considering adjuvant chemo.
There are various companies that offer this testing. Mine was done through Maintrac which is a lab in Germany. I was able to have my blood drawn by my Naturopath and the sample arrived in Germany 48 hours later via FedEx.
The past 4 years of my life has been years of torment right from when i was diagnosed with breast cancer (triple negative) stage IV. It was hard for me because i never in my life imagined i would have anything related to cancer. The first two years my oncologist gave me so much hope that i had to undergo chemo and radiation therapy twice and the lymph nodes were still there. It kept reoccurring and i was about to lose it all. I lost weight and i had high blood pressure due to steady thinking. I got the contact of Dr. Roland whom i was told treats cancer naturally with herbal medicine, i never believed but i was dying and to satisfy my curiosity i had to invite him over and he came with his medicine and began to treat me for a month. In three months time i didn't feel any symptoms and i decided to confirm and i went to my oncologist for a test and i tested negative to cancer. I never believed in herbal methods or treatments but now i do because it saved me. You too can contact him for more info on any form of cancer and also about his medicine and treatment process on (dr.rolandoscar@gmail.com) do not die in ignorance and never give up hope.
ReplyDeleteAs a sign of gratitude for how my wife was saved from CANCER, i decided to reach out to those still suffering from this.
ReplyDeleteMy wife suffered cancer in the year 2013 and it was really tough and heartbreaking for me because she was my all and the symptoms were terrible, she always complain of abnormal vaginal bleeding, and she always have pain during sexual intercourse. . we tried various therapies prescribed by our neurologist but none could cure her. I searched for a cure and i saw a testimony by someone who was cured and so many other with similar body problem, and he left the contact of the doctor who had the cure to cancer . I never imagined cancer. has a natural cure not until i contacted him and he assured me my wife will be fine. I got the herbal medication he recommended and my wife used it and in one months time she was fully okay even up till this moment she is so full of life. cancer. has a cure and it is a herbal cure contact the doctor for more info on drwilliams098675@gmail.com on how to get the medication. Thanks for reading my testimony.