Clinic Appointment to discuss Tykerb and Avastin

Had my usual 3 weekly clinic appointment at the Royal Berks today. Didn't see my usual Oncologist as she was unwell and didn't want to pass on any germs to her patients. Therefore I saw her Registrar, Dr Yeoh.



I gave him a copy of the treatment plan as supplied by Dr Jacob at the Leonardis Klinik. Dr Yeoh was happy with the recommendations but when I discussed the subject of being prescribed Tykerb or Avastin he said that this was not possible. He said that Avastin had only been passed for private prescription use and therefore the Government guidelines forbid use of Avastin within the NHS. He then went onto say that I would not be eligible to go on a Tykerb trial due to the fact that I am receiving different treatments elsewhere and I would not give a good indicator of whether the drug was working or a combination of the trial drug and other drugs I'm taking are having any effect. Basically he said, their hands are tied.



He went onto explain a little bit about how cancer cells work in that they can take many different routes/roads and one drug may stop one route of spread but the cancer may then find another route in which to spread. I am fairly aware of this but at the end of the day if you can stop it at every turn then maybe the prognosis is better because you will survive longer if you make it harder for the cancer to spread! Surely this should be the number one priority as there isn't a cure as yet!!



I then went on to say that I did not want to change from a biphosphonate infusion to a tablet due to the problems involved and he said at this stage they would continue with the pamidronate infusion and monitor it every 3 weeks.