Is Avastin for Breast Cancer Coming Back?
In November 2011, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) removed the drug, Avastin (brand name for Bevacizumab), as a treatment for breast cancer.
The FDA cited a lack of benefit for using the drug for metastatic breast cancer (cancer that spreads to other parts of the body). The FDA ruled the potential for serious and life-threatening risks could not justify its use.
The FDA approved Avastin for certain types of cancer related to the colon, lung, kindeys and brain.
Two studies recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine show the Avastin discussion is not over.
The Findings
Dr. Harry Bear and researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University conducted the first study.
- 1,206 patients were randomly selected
- The patients had breast cancer that had not spread
- The study tested Avastin with other chemotherapy drugs
- 34.5 percent of patients taking Avastin had no evidence of cancer
- No evidence of cancer was found in 28. 2 percent of patients where Avastin was not added to treatment
The second study, conducted by Dr. Gunter von Minckwitz and other researchers from the University of Frankfurt in Germany, also studied patients with breast cancer, but with larger tumors.
- Researchers randomly selected 1,948 patients
- Results showed 18.5 percent with no evidence of cancer for those given Avastin
- Results for patients not given Avastin show 14.9 percent
Researchers of the two studies defined cancer-free differently (what the studies refer to as pathologic complete response).
More Research Needed
Researchers of the studies suggest Avastin may be beneficial in early breast cancer cases.
As is often the case with such studies, more research is recommended.
Estimates for breast cancer in 2012 include the following.*
- 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer in U.S. women
- 2,190 new cases in U.S. men
- 39,510 projected deaths for women
- 410 projected deaths for men
* Source: Susan G. Komen for the Cure
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Notice of Disclaimer –Cathy Miller is not a healthcare provider and cannot provide medical advice. The information provided is for your general background only, and is not intended to constitute medical advice as to your specific circumstances. We recommend you review health issues with your physician.
Stress Study Shows More Words Than Action
We know we’re stressed. We know we should do something about it, but are we doing what we should?
Apparently not.
The American Psychological Association (APA) recently released Stress in America: Our Health at Risk. You probably won’t be surprised about the results.
About the Study
The APA initiated the study in 2006 as part of its Mind/Body/Health campaign to promote a better understanding of stress and its impact.
The survey contains the following.
- Questions for measuring the public’s perception about stress
- An assessment of the main sources of stress
- Information on how Americans cope with stress
- An evaluation of the impact of stress
This was an online survey conducted between August 11, 2011 and September 6, 2011. A total of 1,226 U.S. residents, age 18 and older, participated.
APA conducted an over-sample of 300 caregivers and 1,221 individuals living with chronic illness.
Note: Over-sampling is a survey technique for targeting a sub-group of individuals that are of interest. The idea is to have a large enough sample of the particular group to make credible generalizations about that group.
Survey Findings
There’s a reason APA did the over-sample.
Caregivers and those with chronic illness have more stress than the rest of us.
Caregivers
If you fall into either category, that’s not news to you.
- Over half (55 percent) of caregivers report feeling overwhelmed
- On a 1 to 10 scale (10=great deal of stress), caregivers reported 6.5
- The general population averaged stress at 5.2
- Caregivers are more likely to have a chronic illness – 82 percent vs 61 percent
The report also separates results for men versus women and by various generations.
Gender
- 88 percent of women report a very strong/strong stress-related impact on their general health
- 78 percent of men report a very strong/strong impact
- 70 percent of women report attempting to reduce stress in the last 5 years
- 50 percent of men made attempts in the last 5 years
Generations
- Millenials – 18 to 32 year-olds – average 5.4 on the level of stress
- Generation X – 33 to 46 year-olds – average 5.6 level of stress
- Boomers - 47 to 65 year-olds - average 4.9 level of stress
- Matures – over age 65 - average 4.5 level of stress
Either we get better at coping with stress as we age or we have convinced ourselves that we are.
Region
According to the report, where we live makes a difference.
Perception or reality? You be the judge.
- Easterners report higher levels of stress (5.4)
- Midwesterners are more likly to report an increase in stress
- Southerners appear to better recognize the impact of stress
- Westerners report they are among the healthiest in the U.S.
Let the battles begin.
Impact
Stress is making us angry, nervous, sad and producing a whole host of nagging discomfort.
Although we know we should eat healthy and exercise, we rank that lower than other behaviors.
- Good family relationships – 76 percent
- Managing stress – 61 percent
- Getting enough sleep and good friendships – 60 percent for each
- Doing well in career/studies = 59 percent
- Eating well and exercising – 54 percent for each
For a copy of the complete survey report, click here.
I have seen first-hand the toll that stress takes on a caregiver. With 72 million aging baby boomers, the caregiver role will become even more prevalent.
There are resources available and tips for helping. These are just a few.
USA.gov – Caretaker resources
Medicare.gov - Caretaker videos/resouces
Caregiver.com – Magazine, resources for caregivers
How would you rate your stress level?
What steps do you take for reducing stress?
Do you think you are doing enough?
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Helping you Keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours - contact me for help with your business writing needs.
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Notice of Disclaimer –Cathy Miller is not a healthcare provider and cannot provide medical advice. The information provided is for your general background only, and is not intended to constitute medical advice as to your specific circumstances. We recommend you review health issues with your physician.
Are Baby Boomers & Their Parents Playing Health Care Roulette?
It’s probably a young person’s nightmare – a world overrun by old people.
According to a 2010 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the older population is growing at a faster pace than the younger generation.
Good to know we still do some things faster than the younger set.
As good as that might sound, some of our baby boomers and their parents are neglecting their health care to save money. That’s according to a report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), a private, non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. Continue Reading »
Healthfinder Dot Gov Likes Facebook
Healthfinder.gov hopes you like them – you really, really like them.
The U.S. government website for information and tools for staying healthy has joined the 800+ million users of Facebook in search of a community.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched its own Facebook page – Be Healthy Your Way. Continue Reading »
Americans Drop-Kick Healthy Behaviors During Holidays
The holidays sabotage healthy behaviors for many Americans.
- Exercise decreases – except for the hand to mouth motion
- Fruits and vegetables go missing – unless you count pies
The November report of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index revealed the lowest Healthy Behavior score (62.6 percent) since 2008′s low of 61.4 percent. Not so coincidentally, the previous low also occurred in November. Continue Reading »
Mobile Workforce’s Ringing in Ears is 24/7
Forget sugarplums, today’s mobile workforce has images of smartphones dancing in their heads.
At least that’s the picture painted by a recent report released by iPass, a provider of enterprise mobility services.
For many of us, the results are hardly surprising. Continue Reading »
Health Poll Draws a Line for Unhealthy Behavior
Individuals with healthy behavior should reap rewards beyond good health.
At least that is the majority opinion of participants in the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll.
- 84.8 percent of respondents believe individuals with healthy behavior should receive discounts on health insurance premiums
- 58.5 percent think smokers should pay more for health insurance premiums
Even the majority of smokers (75.9 percent) agreed that healthy behavior should deliver discounts, but only about a third (32.9 percent) felt smokers should pay higher insurance premiums. Continue Reading »
Mid-level Providers-Threat or Good Idea?
It’s a problem I have heard before – fear over using a mid-level provider.
What is a mid-level provider?
You probably know the answer, even if you have not heard the term. It is a health care professional who provides care under the supervision of a physician. Examples of medical mid-level providers include: Continue Reading »
Breast Cancer Awareness Guest Post
Nicky Parry wrote a guest post for me on my personal blog on a topic near to my heart – volunteering.
That’s what so cool about social media. You meet some great people with similar interests that you may have never met without the internet. Nicky and I share a lot of interests.Besides my personal blog, I have a business writing blog, as well as this health care blog. As a medical writer, Nicky has much to offer on either blog.
I am kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness month with a guest post from Nicky. If you follow me, you know of my support of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure. I am thrilled Nicky agreed to help raise awareness about breast cancer. Please welcome her and share some comment love. Continue Reading »
Chronic Disease Price Tag Estimated at $47 Trillion by 2030
Can you even fathom a price tag in the trillions?
- No, we’re not talking the U.S. debt
- It’s the estimated cost of chronic disease in 20 years
Dollar Sign + 47 + 12 zeros = $47,000,000,000,000 =
Cost of chronic disease in 2030
