Taxotere improves survival in advanced prostate cancer was a post I had recently put on The Cancer Blog. It did receive some comments that I would like to address.
First, we all should know that those writing on this blog are not medical professionals. When I do report on something it is because I think that a patient will have some more knowledge about their cancer and could ask their doctor about a new treatment or treatment combination.
I do realize that most of the studies only show a small decrease in disease progression or small increase in survival time. That is what is disheartening. I'm waiting for a clinical trial to show years of survival instead of months. I can also dream about writing of a cure being found.
I received Taxotere after my breast cancer diagnosis. A friend with metastatic breast cancer just stopped Taxotere after four years and her bone mets have not returned. I think everyone is different and will respond to drugs differently, or should I say all cancers are different. Even my breast cancer is different than all other breast cancers.
We do need more individualized treatments and I think the scientists are on their way to getting to a point where we will know what drugs to give what patients. For now though, this is all we have. When I researched what drugs that I would probably be given for adjuvant therapy, I read many studies that Taxotere gave a significant decrease in recurrence of breast cancer. I decided to take it because I thought the benefits outweighed the risks -- for me.
Taxotere has many side effects. Some minor and some major. It could depend on the health of the patient whether or not they would have major side effects.
I heard a physician say over the weekend that if we read the side effects listed on aspirin we probably wouldn't take it.
Here are some sites that talk about Taxotere and side effects:
Thanks for all the great comments. Keep them coming!
1. I couldn't agree with you more on individualized treatments. I did some research on Taxotere myself. My findings on the side effects were pretty much the same as yours. Some people experienced very few side effects, bothersome, but tolerable. Others, well, their reactions went from serious to life threatening. If one is able to tolerate the horrible effects of Taxotere and other Cancer drugs, having the end result being positive, it does make all the suffering worth it. Others might disagree. I don't think it has anything to do with some have a stronger desire to live, and, are willing and able to go through the agony of the treatment more so than others. My belief is; we all have the will to live, and fight, as best as we are physically able. Just because a person has an alleric reaction, or become so ill from the treatment, they have to put everything on hold. This does not make them a weaker person, with less desire to give it their all, or just give up.
There are probably as many drugs as there are diseases in this world today. Everytime you turn around, there is a new disease along with a new drug for that disease, and millions of sick people, and each one of them unique in how their bodies and minds will react to both disease and meds.
To all survivors:
Congrats to you! You made it through, you did your best, with great success, when cancer was thriving, you were surviving!
To those still fighting:
Try not to give in, for cancer will win, and when you fall, give it your all, stand straight and tall, for you are a human being, Cancer has no feeling, so that leaves you without a doubt, what fighting Cancer is all about.
A poet I am not, but my heart goes out to every person fighting to stay amongst the living.
I agree also on not reading the long list of side effects that comes with your meds. Sometimes it is necessary, for obvious reasons, but your better off not.
Also, thanks for the Beet and Arugula Salad recipe, sounds great!
With much care & concern,
Jason
Posted at 4:12AM on Mar 2nd 2007 by Jason Chambers