← Return to Deciding whether to go on abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio)

Discussion

Deciding whether to go on abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio)

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jan 28 5:33pm | Replies (69)
Comment receiving replies
@auntieoakley

One of the questions I would ask my doctor before taking this drug if I was not MBC, goes kind of like this.
What is the benefit of taking this drug now, versus keeping it in the toolbox in case I have a relapse?
This question is probably colored by my own breast cancer journey, but also my journey with family members and other cancers. If there is a significant benefit to preventing a relapse then maybe there is good value to that. But this is a pretty big tool in the box for MBC, and if we use it now, will it still work if I do relapse.
These are just questions I might ask my doctor, I don’t have any of the answers. Does this sound reasonable to anyone else here considering this drug without MBC?

Jump to this post

Replies to "One of the questions I would ask my doctor before taking this drug if I was..."
anjalima | @anjalima | Oct 16, 2022

I’m not considering this drug although it has been offered. I’m not MBC and hope never to be but I squeak in at the far end of a 20% KI 67 requirement ( I am KI 67 -22%) to be offered this drug and so it was offered. I’m 72 next Saturday and have ONCOTYPE s 20 and 14 ( two tumors) which takes KI67 into account along with 13 other characteristics of the tumor.

I was disturbed when I read about the very scary side effects and had a repeat conversation with the oncologist once I knew more about it. It’s newly approved by FDA for non MBC … a year this month!
I’m going to post an article I read about it which put me in the no thank you category ( for my particular profile). That said, at the end of my second conversation with O she said, “ Also, IF GOD FORBID you had a future MBC you would not have this available as a tool in that arena. Once in a lifetime treatment option.”

I suppose that could change over time but this is how it is being looked at now. Of course , one would prefer to PREVENT a relapse! It’s all very difficult to know the perfect decision.

I try to make my decisions with the best possible considerations and let go… but I find the letting go part difficult at times ( like when I’m offered a new med!)

Journey On Warriors 🌸

VIEW AND REPLY