I love to write about new studies combining drugs to improve survival of any kind of cancer. When I read these articles I immediately want to write about them. The reason is because having had breast cancer, I'm always afraid of a recurrence. Knowing that new treatment combinations are working, keeps my anxiety at bay.

An article recently published in the Annals of Oncology says that treatment consisting of Doxil and carboplatin may improve survival in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer.

Researchers in France conducted a clinical trial to evaluate Doxil plus carboplatin in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer that had relapsed following prior platinum and taxane based regimens.

Anticancer responses occurred in 63 percent of patients. Complete disappearances of cancer occurred in 38 percent of patients. The researchers conclude that the combination of Doxil/carboplatin appears highly effective for women with advanced ovarian cancer.

The day I was diagnosed with breast cancer is the day I bought Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book -- actually my sister ran to the store and bought it for me -- after it was recommended as the bible for women with breast cancer. I was told that in the absence of answers to my questions from my doctor, I should look to Dr. Love for responses that would probably mirror what my own doctor would say. So if a question or worry entered my head, I didn't have to call and leave a message for my doctor. I didn't have to wait for a return call or for my next appointment. I could open the pages of this almost 600-page book and find up-to-date and accurate information. The information I found eased my mind and gave me hope -- and it also scared me and introduced to me to the sometimes-tragic effects of breast cancer.