It's exciting to see such PFS numbers for advanced NSCLC.  From ASCO Daily News, Benefit With Lorlatinib in Advanced ALK-Positive NSCLC

Key Points:

• At 5-year follow-up, lorlatinib continues to show progression-free survival (PFS) benefit versus crizotinib in patients with previously untreated advanced ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no new safety signals.
• Median PFS was not reached with lorlatinib compared with 9.1 months with crizotinib.
• The majority of patients (92%) assigned to lorlatinib were free from intracranial progression.

I just finished my last CancerGrace Booth Shift at ASCO.  The common themes throughout the advocate groups were how to reach more people and how to partner with one another so resources aren't wasted. Personally, I have a lot of questions and few answers.  That's where the younger, stronger, and brighter minds come in thankfully Grace is full of those. 

There was one organization that really stood out.  It was unlike any I've seen before.  It's called Pickles, kids supporting kids. Pickles Group’s mission is to provide free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian’s cancer.  If you know someone with a cancer diagnosis who have children between the ages of 6 and 18 please check out their site. 

I will be sharing this one at every opportunity.

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I am reaching out on behalf of OwnYourData, a student-led startup from Columbia University. Committed to advancing inclusive research, we are currently developing a mobile application using AI to match patients to cancer clinical trials.

As we continue the development of our application, my team is interested in interviewing patients regarding their experiences navigating searching for clinical trials. However, we have yet to identify candidates outside of our networks and, as such, we were wondering whether you have any recommendations for individuals who would be interested in participating in a short, 15-30 minute interview (participants will be compensated $20 for their time)? Attached is a flyer that you might consider sharing.

Thank you, sincerely, for your consideration, and we look forward to being in touch!

All the best,

Alexa Aalami

Hello,

Today I'd like to share a new playlist on our youtube channel, Importance of Testing.  These videos cover prevention, screening, and early detection of skin, lung and breast cancers. 

To further your understanding and that of others, you are always welcome to post questions, thoughts, replies, and experiences.

Be safe,

Janine

Hello,

I want to share this video, Cancer Growth Rate and Managing Slow-Growing Lung Cancers.  A lot has changed in treatment and management in the last 8 years but here's one thing that still needs to be considered. 

When someone's cancer progresses how aggressively should its management be?  Often it depends on how relatively fast or slow or how widespread the progression is. 

When cancer is metastatic you can think of treatment as a marathon.  You want to use as little for as long as possible.  Terms like oligoprogression have come into fashion when thinking of how to make a treatment last longer.  For example, someone with an EGFR mutation progresses on tagrisso may be able to kill the resistant cells with radiation then continue on tagrisso as before.  

or

Someone whose cancer progresses only slightly may take a "watch and wait" approach.  For example, don't change a treatment that is otherwise working and manageable, and see what the scans show in 3 months.  It might be that nothing much changes. 

Of course, with everything cancer, it depends on the individual.  Everyone's cancer is different, some "typically" aggressive cancers are indolent and vis verse.  Anything can happen.  This might to the occasion to see your 2nd opinion onc and get another head in the game. 

Take care,

Janine

Register here!

Register for free and join us on this live, virtual and interactive patient education event!

This event includes presentations and panel discussions covering general subjects relevant to a diverse range of lung cancers and treatment options, as well as an opportunity to speak with the experts in a Q&A session.

Speakers include top medical professionals presenting patient-focused discussions to educate the patient and caregiver communities.

Register for free and join us on this live, virtual and interactive patient education event!

This event includes presentations and panel discussions covering general subjects relevant to a diverse range of lung cancers and treatment options, as well as an opportunity to speak with the experts in a Q&A session.

Speakers include top medical professionals presenting patient-focused discussions to educate the patient and caregiver communities.

Just in case you missed our homepage, our lung cancer webinar, Lung Cancer OncTalk 2024 is on February 10 at 8 AM Pacific/11 AM Eastern.  Register here.  Soon you will be able to find the agenda and event faculty linked on the registration page. 

If you have questions don't hesitate to ask. 

This article, The Side Effect Roulette of Cancer Treatment discusses the benefits of frank talk with your care team about side effects.  Many people don't realize their oncology team can mitigate many side effects and symptoms.  We've come a long way from the days when cancer treatment didn't include pain management let alone side effect symptom managment.

We have a long way to go and social media is stoking the fire by sharing info with others new to the game, "Meanwhile, patients continue to crowdsource from others on social media, to supplement information from their clinicians and drug materials, Wall said. Cancer survivors also can offer reassurance to others, reminding them that everyone’s experience with side effects may be different and not to assume the worst, she said.  “That is a major point of those forums existing to my mind,” she said. “We help each other with that information. People come in and say, “I was newly diagnosed. They want to give me this. Is anybody on it? What can you tell me about it?’’”"

Take care all,

Janine