The 1-Day Breast Cancer “Cure”

PJ Hamel is happy to be alive. As always. Been Through It Author, breast cancer survivor Writer, mother, wife, volunteer, and survivor: PJ Hamel joins the... Send Message Subscribe: PJ Hamel

Monday, November 02, 2009
View All of PJ Hamel's Posts

Sounds like a rather sick infomercial, doesn’t it? “Cure your breast cancer in a single afternoon! Order now, and pay just….” Oh, maybe $35,000 or so, plus “handling.” Strangely enough, though, Europeans have had access to this single-day cancer treatment fo...

Hide Comments | Add comment

wow
Jo-Ann
Monday, November 02, 2009 at 10:21 PM

A fascinating read. Thanks for keeping us informed with such a balanced report. I hadn't heard of this procedure before.

Best, always

Jo-Ann

re: wow
PJ Hamel
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 04:01 AM

I browse several European Web sites, and they seem to be years ahead of us (at times) as far as innovative treatments - I think they forego the lengthy, FDA-type approval process. Could be good (esp. if you're in a desperate situation and need treatment NOW); could be bad (when treatment turns out to have long-term side effects). Thanks for chiming in here, Jo-Ann. PH

re: re: wow
Jo-Ann
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Hi

Which European websites do you brouse?

Jo-Ann

re: re: re: wow
PJ Hamel
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 06:24 PM

Don't have a specific list - they just come up in Google searches. One I've gotten a lot of info. from is http://www.cancernet.co.uk - give it a look sometime... PJH

Untitled Comment
Phyllis Johnson
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 05:32 AM

Thanks for filling us in on the latest treatment. If it has the potential to help 20% of the breast cancer population in the near future, it will probably be refined to help even more of us down the road. That seems to be the path for many treatments that are released initially for just a small group of people, but which end up proving helpful for other groups too.

re: Untitled Comment
PJ Hamel
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 06:08 AM

At some point this whole barbaric "slash, poison, burn" regimen has to be replaced with something more refined. Biologics. Genomics. Maybe "burn" will be the first part to go, and this is an interim step... PJH

Cure Breast cancer in 30 minutes on the operating table
CTC
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 09:42 AM

How long has this new cure been used on patients and do a simple self breast exam or mammogram determines the need for this treatment? Moreover, why does it work so well? Please reply because I am not against it but want to know more.

re: Cure Breast cancer in 30 minutes on the operating table
PJ Hamel
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 10:25 AM

Hi - It's ben used for about 30 years in Europe. It's not available in this country yet; when/if it is, it would no doubt be first available for women with early-stage (non-invasive) cancer having a lumpectomy. More than that, I can't tell you - suggest you Google IORT for further information. Hope this helps - PJH

Various kinds of shorter-term radiation
GregDennis
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 09:47 AM

Interesting summary. You are right to note that the data on IORT for breast cancer is scant. However, you are also correct to note the need for shorter-term therapy than six weeks of traditional, external beam radiation. Breast brachytherapy -- which takes just five days and has significant data to back it up -- appears to be one such alternative, in many cases, to six weeks of radiation, five days every week. Several different kinds of brachytherapy are available for patients who qualify, including those with smaller breasts or lumpectomy cavities close to the chest wall or skin surface.

re: Various kinds of shorter-term radiation
PJ Hamel
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 10:22 AM

You're right, Greg, brachytherapy is gradually coming into wide acceptance. Readers, take a look at our first-person account of MammoSite radiation therapy. PJH

one-day radiation treatment
Jolene Boyd
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 05:40 PM

Yes, wow indeed! If this turns out to be an effective treatment, what a fabulous option it will be for some women! I hope we will continue to see articles and posts about this procedure as testing continues and I sure hope there is data in Europe (there MUST be, right?!?!) that the docs and scientists will share with the US to demonstrate long-term efficacy!

re: one-day radiation treatment
PJ Hamel
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 08:27 PM

One would hope so, Jolene. I guess one of the big barriers was simply procedural - lack of radiation equipment in the operating room. I'd guess the manufacturers of these portable radiation device are pushing very hard for IORT to be adopted here. Hey - nice to see your name here again, by the way! PJH

re: re: one-day radiation treatment
Jolene Boyd
Friday, November 06, 2009 at 06:59 PM

Thanks PJ--still following but been busy living life...what a grand thing, huh? Got a promotion at work that I had been working toward for several years and still working on my graduate degree in clinical psych, so not a lot of spare time. Just passed by 2 year "cancerversary" with a clean bill of health so far--hooray! And started attending a support group called "Transitions"...for people who are working toward finding meaning in the rest of their life! It's some great fellowship! I always apprecaite your research, information and perspectives!

Jolene

re: re: re: one-day radiation treatment
PJ Hamel
Friday, November 06, 2009 at 08:38 PM

Sounds like wonderful news on all fronts, Jolene - keep it up! I still think back to you alerting me to the tamoxifen issue, which continues to simmer... Thanks for staying in touch, and I hope things continue to go well - esp. in Transitions... Cheers- PJH

New suggested guildlines for mammo?
Shar
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 08:37 AM

I had a mastectomy at age 40 for breast cancer. If we use the new guildlines suggested today do you think I'd be here today? NO!!!!! And I would have left four children motherless.....Needless to say DO NOT go with the new guildlines...protect yourself.