Month: March 2023

2023-03-15T06:01:00

(BPT) – This content is sponsored and provided by Novartis.

“I have cancer. Cancer doesn’t have me.”

Lisa, a Maryland mother, grandmother, travel agent and minister, is adamant about not letting breast cancer prevent her from living her life to the fullest. After an initial diagnosis of stage II hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer, Lisa underwent chemotherapy, had a lymph node removal, and a mastectomy on one side. Then, her cancer went into remission.

Several years later, Lisa developed a chronic cough and had difficulty breathing but thought it may be allergies. However, during her annual follow-up with her oncologist, she shared this new symptom, and her provider urged her to get testing done to rule out if her cancer had returned. After her bloodwork came back with extremely high tumor markers, a PET scan also revealed that her cancer had come back and had spread to her lungs and bones. A CT scan and MRI later found the cancer had also spread to her brain. Cancer returning was something Lisa never expected. And this time it was in the form of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.

More than 150,000 women are living with metastatic breast cancer in the United States, three-fourths of whom were originally diagnosed with stage I-III cancer¹. HR+/HER2- breast cancer is the most common subtype, with 68% of all female breast cancer cases being HR+/HER2-².

While the majority of patients are diagnosed with early breast cancer, many see their cancer come back after initial treatment, with 87-94% of these recurrences leading to metastatic disease^3,4. Being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer means cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, or liver. While there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, there are treatments available that can help those living with the disease live longer and well.

It hasn’t been an easy road for Lisa, but with the support of her family, her friends, and her faith, she continues to face each day by advocating for herself, communicating with her healthcare provider and being an active participant in her own treatment journey.

Here are some tips she wants to give others who might be facing a similar journey.

Be your best advocate

Throughout the diagnosis and treatment process, Lisa continued having conversations with her doctor, along with doing her own research, making sure to share her concerns, field any questions and let her doctor know of any side effects from treatment. She took notes during every appointment, looking up things that she didn’t understand when she got home.

When Lisa’s doctor suggested chemotherapy as the first line of treatment for her metastatic breast cancer, she was resistant, as she had experienced complicated side effects from it in the past. When she decided to give it a try and again had difficulty with the side effects, she spoke up for herself.

“It’s important to trust your doctor, but you should always practice your due diligence to make sure you’re getting the care you need,” says Lisa.

Lisa became her biggest advocate having honest and open conversations with her doctor, determined to find the best course for her treatment journey.

Do what works for you

After Lisa spoke up to her doctor about the chemotherapy side effects, her doctor recommended trying KISQALI^® (ribociclib) 200 mg tablets, a prescription medicine approved to treat adults with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer in combination with either an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant as the first endocrine-based therapy, or following disease progression on endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women or in men.

For Lisa, who recently traveled to England as part of her ministry work, it was extremely important to find a treatment that would allow her the flexibility to continue her regular practices, including her ability to travel.

“This medication has been working very well for me. It’s as close as I can get to feeling like I have a chronic condition and not a terminal illness,” explains Lisa. “I don’t have to sit in a doctor’s office for a day, I can manage my symptoms and I’m able to show up every day — both for myself and for others.”

Lisa has been able to continue socializing with her support network, including close friends and family, and visiting with 3 new grandbabies.

While KISQALI worked for Lisa, all medications affect people differently and it’s important to find the treatment option that works best for you.

Continue to live your life

Lisa decided cancer would not have dominion over her when she was first diagnosed with early breast cancer. When she learned she had metastatic breast cancer, and that the 10-year survival rate was 13%, she reframed her remission narrative and found empowerment in the fact that life is never guaranteed, with or without a cancer diagnosis⁵. Her focus became to overcome any challenges and obstacles she would face and make the most of the time she has.

“My mentality became ‘long live life,’” says Lisa. “Life is worth living no matter what. You have to choose to live life. You have to choose to make each day count.”

You can read inspiring stories about others like Lisa who are living with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer at KISQALI.com.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

References

1. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2022-2024. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc. 2022
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Wangchinda P, Ithimakin S. Factors that predict recurrence later than 5 years after initial treatment in operable breast cancer. World J Surg Oncol. 2016 Aug 24;14(1):223. doi: 10.1186/s12957-016-0988-0
5. Eng LG, Dawood S, Sopik V, et al. Ten-year survival in women with primary stage IV breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2016 Nov;160(1):145-152. doi: 10.1007/s10549-016-3974-x

Indications

KISQALI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has gotten worse or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), in combination with:

• an aromatase inhibitor as the first endocrine-based therapy; or
• fulvestrant as the first endocrine-based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women or in men.

It is not known if KISQALI is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about KISQALI?

KISQALI may cause serious side effects, including:

Lung problems. KISQALI may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs during treatment that may lead to death. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:

• trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• cough with or without mucus
• chest pain

Severe skin reactions. Tell your health care provider or get medical help right away if you get severe rash or rash that keeps getting worse; reddened skin; flu-like symptoms; skin pain/burning; blistering of the lips, eyes, or mouth; or blisters on the skin or skin peeling, with or without fever.

Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation). KISQALI can cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation. This condition can cause an abnormal heartbeat and may lead to death. Your health care provider should check your heart and do blood tests before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you have a change in your heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if you feel dizzy or faint.

Liver problems (hepatobiliary toxicity). KISQALI can cause serious liver problems. Your health care provider should do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems:

• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
• dark or brown (tea-colored) urine
• feeling very tired
• loss of appetite
• pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
• bleeding or bruising more easily than normal

Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). Low white blood cell counts are very common during treatment with KISQALI and may result in infections that may be severe. Your health care provider should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections such as fever and chills.

Your health care provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop taking KISQALI if you develop certain serious side effects during treatment with KISQALI.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking KISQALI?

Before you take KISQALI, tell your health care provider if you:

• have any heart problems, including heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and QT prolongation
• have ever had a heart attack
• have a slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
• have problems with the amount of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, or magnesium in your blood
• have fever, chills, or any other signs or symptoms of infection
• have liver problems
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. KISQALI can harm your unborn baby

• If you are able to become pregnant, your health care provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with KISQALI.
• Females who are able to become pregnant and who take KISQALI should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI.
• Talk to your health care provider about birth control methods that may be right for you during this time.
• If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant, tell your health care provider right away.

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KISQALI passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with KISQALI and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. KISQALI and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your health care provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking KISQALI?

Avoid eating grapefruit and avoid drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with KISQALI since these may increase the amount of KISQALI in your blood.

The most common side effects of KISQALI include:

• decreased white blood cell counts
• decreased red blood cell counts
• abnormal liver function tests
• infections
• nausea
• increased kidney function test
• tiredness
• decreased platelet counts
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• headache
• constipation
• hair loss
• cough
• rash
• back pain
• low blood sugar level

KISQALI may cause fertility problems if you are male and take KISQALI. This may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your health care provider if this is a concern for you.

Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of KISQALI. For more information, ask your health care provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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2023-03-13T08:01:00

(BPT) – Mushrooms are trending. From pop culture to food and drink to home décor and tattoos, you can find mushrooms everywhere you look. According to Artful Living, the mushroom renaissance began during the pandemic as people began foraging and growing mushrooms at home.

These fabulous fungi aren’t just good for humans. They’re also good for the planet. By any measure of water and energy and the low CO2 emissions, mushrooms have a minimal environmental footprint.

In many ways, the mushroom craze is a way for humans to reconnect to ancient traditions. Mushrooms have long been used in traditional Eastern medicine and are dietary staples in many Asian countries because of their various health benefits.

One industry that has boosted the mushroom boom is the beauty sector. Mushroom extracts are known for their natural antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and natural source of hydration. Because of their excellent properties, beauty companies like Shroom Skincare are using mushrooms as the main ingredients in skincare products. Check out four mushroom extracts and their benefits that result in healthier, more beautiful skin.

1. Hydrates dry skin

If you want hydrated, visibly healthy skin, look for products that contain reishi mushroom extract. Reishi contains beta-glucans, molecules found in yeast and fungi that, according to a scientific review, heal and moisturize skin. A study published in The Journal of Dermatological Treatment found that it can calm dry, itchy skin, including that caused by eczema.

2. Protects and rejuvenates

Commonly used in traditional medicine as a folk remedy in Russia and other European countries, Chaga mushroom has several benefits when used on the skin. Chaga has been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, according to a study from the Department of Medical Nutrition at Kyunghee University. It also helps with cell repair and can protect cells from free radicals, which damage cells and cause premature aging.

3. Prevents collagen breakdown

Collagen is an important protein that provides structure and support to your skin. As you age, you naturally produce less collagen, which decreases your skin’s elasticity, causing wrinkles. Cordyceps sinensis, a rare fungus ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, helps prevent collagen breakdown, preserving skin elasticity and supporting a balanced, even skin tone.

4. Calming and soothing

When you need to calm and soothe your skin, reach for maitake mushroom extract. Known as the dancing mushroom in Japan, it has incredible healing properties and can protect the skin, improve elasticity and reduce redness and inflammation. An open clinical study found that it improved premature aging from sun exposure and skin turgor, the skin’s ability to change shape and return to normal.

To get the most out of mushroom skincare, make sure you’re using a product with all four amazing mushrooms, like Mycelium Glow Brightening Serum. Made by Shroom Skincare, it combines these mushroom extracts with vitamin C, jojoba seed oil, Kalahari melon oil, rosehip oil, olive oil and vitamin E.

“Combining these ingredients in a skincare product provides a range of benefits for the skin,” said Dr. Jennifer Chwalek, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at UnionDerm. “This includes protection from environmental damage, reduction of inflammation, support for the skin’s natural defenses and improvement in the appearance of aging and uneven skin tone.”

To learn more about the benefits of mushroom skincare products, visit ShroomSkincare.Skin.

2023-03-13T08:01:00

(BPT) – One of the worst things a woman can hear is: “You have cancer.”

The unfortunate reality is that one in every eight women in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life. In fact, breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer nationally, and there are different subtypes. The most common subtype is HR+/HER2- breast cancer.

What Does HR+/HER2- Mean for the Women Who Have It?

Most breast cancers are distinguished by the presence or absence of certain receptors that play a role in driving their growth. These most commonly include hormone receptors (HR) – estrogen or progesterone – and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which are involved in certain processes that allow the cancer cells to grow. Breast cancers that test positive for HR (“HR+”) and negative for HER2 (“HER2-”) have hormone receptors but have little to no HER2 receptors.

Thousands of women each year will be diagnosed with HR+/HER2- in early stages and may survive – and will likely live for years beyond their diagnosis.

But it’s women who have metastatic breast cancer, or cancer that has spread beyond breast tissue, who need more help. For these women, their life expectancy is much shorter, and treatment may continue for the rest of their life.

“Researchers estimate that there are more than 150,000 women in the U.S. living with metastatic breast cancer,” said Laura Carfang, Executive Director at SurvivingBreastCancer.org. “Unlike women who have earlier stage breast cancer who aim to say, ‘I am a survivor,’ ‘I am cancer-free’ or ‘I have no evidence of disease,’ women with metastatic breast cancer may say, ‘I am living with cancer,’ or ‘I have no evidence of active disease.’”

For these women, tomorrow becomes uncertain without treatment options.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Requires More

Stage IV breast cancer, or metastatic disease, is when cancer cells break away from the original tumor in the breast and travel to other parts of the body. Nearly 1 in 3 people diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will develop metastatic disease.

Once cancer is metastatic, surgery to remove the tumor or the breasts themselves is unlikely to get rid of all the cancer. People with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer typically receive treatments called endocrine-based therapies that target and try to block the activity of the hormone receptors driving the cancer growth. Despite how successful these treatments may be, resistance often develops, which means they could stop working.

“Women living with metastatic HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer have a unique and challenging experience,” said Carfang. “Endocrine-based therapies may work for them initially, but then, after possibly many successful years of being stable, it comes back or starts growing again, and suddenly they are left asking, ‘What now? What will my next line of treatment be and what options do I have?’ We have had so little to offer for these women who have endured so much.”

Historically, once women stop responding to endocrine-based therapy, treatment has been limited to single-agent chemotherapy. Many of these women will cycle through multiple chemotherapies and may decide to discontinue treatment.

“It can feel like time is running out,” said Carfang.

Treatment Options for HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Are Expanding

A recent FDA approval provides a new option for certain adults with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Trodelvy^® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a different kind of treatment called an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is approved for adults with HR+/HER2- breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery, and who have received endocrine therapy and at least two additional treatments for metastatic disease. It is not known if Trodelvy is safe and effective in people with moderate or severe liver problems or in children.

Trodelvy is a new option in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer for women who want to continue treatment.

Please click to see Important Facts about Trodelvy, including Important Warnings for low white blood cell count and diarrhea.

If you or someone you know has HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer that is resistant to endocrine-based therapies and has received at least 2 additional treatments for metastatic disease, speak with your doctor about potential treatment options, including Trodelvy. For more information, please visit www.trodelvy.com/.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

TRODELVY can cause serious side effects, including low white blood cell count and diarrhea:

• Low white blood cell count (neutropenia) which is common and can sometimes be severe and lead to infections that can be life-threatening or cause death. Your healthcare provider should check your blood cell counts during treatment. If your white blood cell count is too low, your healthcare provider may need to lower your dose, give you a medicine to help prevent low blood cell count with future doses of TRODELVY, or in some cases may stop TRODELVY. Your healthcare provider may need to give you antibiotic medicines if you develop fever while your white blood cell count is low. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs of infection: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, or burning or pain when you urinate.
• Severe diarrhea. Diarrhea is common and can be severe. Severe diarrhea can lead to loss of too much body fluid (dehydration) and kidney problems. Your healthcare provider should monitor you for diarrhea and give you medicine as needed to help control it. If you lose too much body fluid, your healthcare provider may need to give you fluids and electrolytes to replace body salts. If you develop diarrhea during your treatment with TRODELVY, your healthcare provider should check to see if it may be caused by an infection. Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose or stop TRODELVY if your diarrhea is severe and cannot be controlled with anti-diarrheal medicines.
• Call your healthcare provider right away the first time that you get diarrhea during treatment with TRODELVY; if you have black or bloody stools; if you have symptoms of dehydration, such as lightheadedness, dizziness, or faintness; if you are unable to take fluids by mouth due to nausea or vomiting; or if you are not able to get your diarrhea under control within 24 hours.

Do not receive TRODELVY if you have had a severe allergic reaction to TRODELVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

Allergic and infusion-related reactions which can be serious and life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider or nurse right away if you get any of the following symptoms during your infusion of TRODELVY or within 24 hours after: swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; hives; skin rash, itching, or flushing of your skin; fever; difficulty breathing or wheezing; lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling faint, or pass out; or chills or shaking chills (rigors).

Nausea and vomiting are common with TRODELVY and can sometimes be severe. Before each dose of TRODELVY, you will receive medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting along with medicines to take home with instructions about how to take them. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea or vomiting that is not controlled with the medicines prescribed for you. Your healthcare provider may decide to decrease your dose or stop TRODELVY if your nausea and vomiting is severe and cannot be controlled with anti-nausea medicines.

Before receiving TRODELVY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have been told that you carry a gene for UGT1A1*28, which can increase your risk of getting side effects with TRODELVY, especially low white blood cell counts, with or without a fever, and low red blood cell counts.
• have liver problems.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TRODELVY can harm your unborn baby. Your healthcare provider should check to see if you are pregnant before you start receiving TRODELVY. TRODELVY may cause fertility problems in females, which could affect your ability to have a baby. Talk to your healthcare provider if fertility is a concern for you.
• Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 6 months after your last dose of TRODELVY. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control choices that may be right for you during this time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with TRODELVY.
• Males with a female partner who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose of TRODELVY.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TRODELVY passes into your breastmilk and can harm your baby. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 month after your last dose of TRODELVY.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Certain medicines may affect the way TRODELVY works.

The most common side effects of TRODELVY include decreased white blood cell (leukocyte and lymphocyte) and red blood cell counts, feeling tired or weak, hair loss, constipation, increased sugar levels in the blood, decreased protein levels (albumin) in the blood, decreased appetite, changes in kidney function test, increased levels of enzyme called alkaline phosphatase in the blood (test for liver or bone problems), and decreased levels of magnesium, potassium, and sodium in the blood.

These are not all of the possible side effects of TRODELVY. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

WHAT IS TRODELVY?

TRODELVY^® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery, and who previously received endocrine therapy and at least two additional treatments for metastatic disease.

It is not known if TRODELVY is safe and effective in people with moderate or severe liver problems or in children.

Please click to see Important Facts about Trodelvy, including Important Warning.

A message from Gilead Sciences, Inc.

TRODELVY and GILEAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

© 2023 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-TROC-0142 02/23