The other side of the microscope

I find it ironic that a report about phase II of the Olabparib study came out on Friday. As I learned the disappointing news my CA-125 is rising and my cancer may be making a reappearance, the researchers expressed excitement about the results of the Olaparib clinical trial.

You may ask, "What are they excited about?" My response is, "Why am I not reaping the benefits of the wonder drug?" Oh but according to the material published in the report, I am. Yup, I'm just as shocked as you.

As I swallowed the handfuls of big white capsules morning and night, I believed they would give me years more to be cancer free. I sweetly talked to the meds as I tossed them in my mouth, encouraging them to work their magic and kill the cancer. When I got the results of my last CT scan six weeks ago to learn the cancer had shrunk even more since I ended chemo, I praised God the Olaparib was doing its job.

According to the research findings, it did do the job. But I believed the results would be tougher, stronger, faster - and most importantly, last longer.

You see, the report optimistically reported Olaparib does work and improves outcomes in ovarian cancer.

"Results from a phase 2 trial have shown that it significantly prolonged progression-free survival in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed serous ovarian cancer.

Patients who received olaparib as maintenance therapy achieved a progression-free survival that was nearly 4 months longer than those who received placebo, according to data presented at a press briefing held in advance of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2011 Annual Meeting."

Significantly prolonged? Four months is significantly prolonged?! My reaction: These researchers haven't stood on the other side of the microscope. They don't understand the viewpoint of an ovarian cancer survivor and her family. Sure, four months longer is better than no months, but in the whole scheme of things, it's peanuts.

Success is determined by median time to progression. The olaparib group averaged 8.3 months and the placebo group (which I doesn't exist in my study) was 3.7 months. Considering I had my last chemo on Oct. 8, I am right around the 8 month mark. Of course that depends on what they determine as progression-free survival. Would two high CA-125 markers be deemed as reoccurence or would a CT scan confirming evidence of disease and growth be the determinant? My relapse time would depend on the criteria.

In the end, I'm disappointed and pissed at the results of the study. I'm not encouraged by it like the researchers. This is NOT success in my books. I want something that will work long term so I can live life in remission for years, not months. I keep hearing ovarian cancer is a chronic disease that can be managed, like diabetes. This is not good management. I want better!

Tina