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Treatment shows promise in one woman’s metastatic breast cancer fight

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Melinda was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2012. Source: Courtesy of Melinda

As a former Air Force procurement officer who moved among countries and states for many years with her military husband and two sons, Melinda is no stranger to change. However, when she received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2004, she couldn’t have imagined the many changes which were in store for her health. Thanks to early detection, Melinda received treatment and was soon able to return to living cancer-free.

Doctors informed her that the breast cancer had spread and that her diagnosis was HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). “I was shocked,” she said. “I didn’t think it would happen again. I cried and talked to my dad and my husband, and we wondered, ‘Now, what do we do?’ After the initial distress and disbelief wore off, I decided to just take it step by step.”

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Important Safety Information What are the possible side effects of TUKYSA? TUKYSA may cause serious side effects, including:

TUKYSA may cause serious side effects, including:

Your health care provider may change your dose of TUKYSA, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with TUKYSA if you have certain side effects.

TUKYSA may cause fertility problems in males and females, which may affect the ability to have children. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about fertility. These are not all the possible side effects of TUKYSA. Discuss side effects with your health care provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking TUKYSA? Before taking TUKYSA, tell your health care provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. TUKYSA may affect the way your other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way TUKYSA works. Keep a list of all the medicines you take and show it to your health care provider and pharmacist every time you get a new medicine.

Indication What is TUKYSA? TUKYSA is a prescription medicine used with the medicines trastuzumab and capecitabine to treat adults with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body such as the brain (metastatic), or that cannot be removed by surgery, and who have received one or more anti-HER2 breast cancer treatments. It is not known if TUKYSA is safe and effective in children. Please see Important Facts about TUKYSA.

Breastcancer.org. Metastatic Breast Cancer. https://www.breastcancer.org/types/metastatic#section-what-is-metastatic-breast-cancer. Accessed July 2022. New England Journal of Medicine. Tucatinib, Trastuzumab, and Capecitabine for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1914609.

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We passed the five-year mark in 2009 and thought everything was good. I was strutting around like nobody’s business. Then in 2012, I found a lump on my collarbone. I’ll never forget that call from the doctor: ‘I hate to say it, but it’s back and you need to start chemotherapy.’

Melinda

Living with metastatic breast cancer

Navigating MBC one step at a time

Melinda is not alone in her experience of dealing with reoccurring breast cancer later in life. According to Breastcancer.org, nearly 30% of people who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will go on to develop MBC. Melinda received chemotherapy and underwent a double mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of both breasts, as a precautionary measure. During the surgery, cancer was also found in her chest wall and lymph nodes.

When Melinda’s doctors noticed her tumor markers rapidly increasing, they knew they needed to try a new treatment. Source: Courtesy of Melinda

With no other way to go but forward, Melinda was treated with various medications. Unfortunately, the cancer continued to spread — this time to her skin, lungs and brain. When Melinda’s doctors noticed her tumor markers rapidly increasing, they knew the treatment was no longer effectively controlling her cancer. It was time to take a step in a new direction.

Melinda found success with TUKYSA, an FDA-approved treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Source: Courtesy of Melinda

Changing course for better outcomes

After discussions about the risks and benefits of the product, Melinda started TUKYSA, an FDA-approved treatment used in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for the treatment of advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer in patients who have received at least one prior anti-HER2 breast cancer treatment. The TUKYSA regimen offers patients another chance at treating their HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. After making the change to her new treatment regimen, Melinda was pleased to get good news at a follow-up appointment — the treatment is working.

I was overjoyed,this treatment seems to be working really well for me.

Melinda

Living with metastatic breast cancer

With all cancer treatments, side effects are possible. Since taking the TUKYSA regimen, Melinda has experienced side effects of body aches and occasional constipation. (See below for important safety information about TUKYSA.) Every patient has a different cancer journey, and TUKYSA will not work for everyone.

Melinda emphasizes the importance of taking it one day at a time and trying to find sources of happiness along the way, despite the changes that living with cancer can bring. Source: Courtesy of Melissa

Staying positive amid change

Throughout her 18-year breast cancer journey, Melinda persevered through obstacles, no matter how daunting they seemed at the time. In addition to unwavering support from her family and friends, Melinda acknowledged the important role her doctors have played in helping her find the right treatment path for her. “Talk to your doctor and get all of the information you can about what to expect with treatment,” she said. Melinda emphasizes the importance of taking it one day at a time and trying to find sources of happiness along the way, despite the changes and rollercoaster of emotions that living with cancer can bring.

Pay attention to your body. You will know when something doesn’t feel right. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Take care of you.

Melinda

Living with metastatic breast cancer

I decided my mantra is ‘Choose joy.’ At first, it was hard to be positive, and you can’t be all the time, but it’s easier than being negative. I just don’t have the energy for that.

Melinda

Living with metastatic breast cancer

Diarrhea (watery, loose, or frequent stools) is common and can sometimes be severe. Tell your health care provider if you have a change in your bowel movements or severe diarrhea. Severe diarrhea can cause a loss of too much body fluid (dehydration), low blood pressure, kidney problems and death. Your health care provider may prescribe medicines to treat your diarrhea during treatment with TUKYSA.

Liver problems, including severe cases. Your health care provider will test your blood to check your liver function before starting and every three weeks during treatment with TUKYSA, or as needed. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of liver problems, including itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark or brown urine (tea-colored), pain or discomfort in the right upper stomach area (abdomen), feeling very tired, decreased appetite, or bleeding or bruising more easily than normal.

diarrhea

rash, redness, pain, swelling or blisters on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet

nausea

tiredness

increased liver function blood tests

vomiting

mouth sores (stomatitis)

decreased appetite

stomach-area (abdomen) pain

headache

a low number of red blood cells (anemia)

rash

have liver problems.

are pregnant or plan to get pregnant. TUKYSA can harm your unborn baby.

Females who are able to become pregnant: Your health care provider will do a pregnancy test before you start taking TUKYSA. Use effective birth control (contraception) during TUKYSA treatment and for at least one week after the last dose of TUKYSA. Tell your health care provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with TUKYSA.

Males with a female partner who can get pregnant: Use effective birth control during TUKYSA treatment and for at least one week after the last dose of TUKYSA.

are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed during treatment with TUKYSA and for at least one week after the last dose of TUKYSA.

“Talk to your doctor and get all of the information you can about what to expect with treatment,” she said. Melinda emphasizes the importance of taking it one day at a time and trying to find sources of happiness along the way, despite the changes and rollercoaster of emotions that living with cancer can bring.