Posted 11/11/2017 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hello NickAlive ~
Welcome to this forum! We welcome you here!
Your post brings up an important topic --- the breakthrough medications and treatments that have emerged in the past few years ---
I am starting my fifth year of treatment and survivorship, following a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer when I was in my 40s ...
I stand in humble gratitude to the scientists and researchers who continue to push forward on new breakthroughs ... and fellow comrades who have gone before me, volunteering to participate in clinical trials, all in the interest of helping others in the future.
As well, your post also brings up another aspect --- finding new ways to sequence EXISTING treatments, in new ways --- or in combination with other medications and treatments.
I was in the first wave of fellows here who "jumped on board" when the new recommendation for the "early chemo plan" was first endorsed and recommended ...
Starting chemo, I didn't quite know what to expect ... but with each subsequent infusion, my PSA crept downward ... that was over three years ago now, and I truly believe it helped me. I was my doctor's first patient who was treated with the new "early chemo plan" recommendation.
Since then, other friends of mine have also pursued the "early chemo plan" ... along with MANY of my brothers here on this forum ... just one example of how research is suggesting new ways to help our fellow comrades who face a cancer diagnosis. We have all supported each other here, through and through ...
From there, I also started taking ZYTIGA, after my chemotherapy infusions were finished up. Again, it was a relatively new medication ... approved by the F.D.A. in recent times ... my oncologist recommended it as a "next step" in helping to suppress my PSA levels ... I have now been on ZYTIGA for 28 continuous months ... it continues to help me ... it is also helping other friends of mine.
Your post refers to new studies that show that ZYTIGA may move "up the line" to become a line of defense medication, in specific cases, upon diagnosis. I hope that other comrades will be helped by these newer medications that have emerged in recent times ... XTANDI, PROVENGE, XOFIGO, ZYTIGA ... and I hope this is just the beginning of the list of F.D.A. approvals that will emerge in the foreseeable future.
You bring up another interesting point ... making sure that all doctors become aware of new treatments or medications ... I have seen MANY examples where this forum has helped "spread the word" and readers here have had informative talks with their doctors ... and sometimes, even bringing them copies of clinical trial results ... all in the interest of helping others. This forum has helped so many readers, over the course of time ...
That's why it continues to be important to keep sharing our treatment experiences ... sharing first-hand stories ... posting new findings on forums like this ... staying connected to our doctors and medical teams ... asking questions ... staying updated on new research ... and continuing to "network" with others who stand alongside us in this health concern.
Research is finding new ways to help us, bit by bit, step by step ... and we all wait for further innovations and breakthroughs ...
Thanks for posting today, NickAlive ... we're pleased to welcome you here as a new, contributing member in this BAND OF BROTHERS ... and SISTERS, too!
Handshake to welcome you, from across the miles,
"Cyclone" ~ Iowa State University