Thursday, October 3, 2013

FDA approval of breast cancer drug

http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/AustinAmericanStatesman/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=QUFTLzIwMTMvMTAvMDE.&pageno=NA..&entity=QXIwMDQwMQ..&view=ZW50aXR5

Austin American-Statesman
Category: Health
Level: National
This article is concerning an “enacted” policy that has been passed to help with a problem/issue that individuals/families face. – I am considering the FDA approval to be the “policy” that has been enacted.

Why this is important to individuals/families:
The approval of this cancer drug, Perjeta, to be used as a pre-surgery treatment is a huge development. People who are nervous about surgery now have an option that may allow them to bypass surgery completely. At the very least, it may allow for the surgery to be smaller or less invasive which will provide patients with a little more peace of mind.

My views:
Perjeta received accelerated approval which means it has shown fantastic results in treating breast cancer. Advances in cancer treatments are always exciting because it brings us one step closer to finding cures, or at least the closest thing to it. The use of this drug as a first line of treatment may allow women to opt out of mastectomies which brings with it a huge improvement in quality of life as it pertains to self-esteem. Women who lose their breasts are subject to additional emotional effects. They are more likely to see themselves as less of a woman or have a more negative self-image. If we can spare this side of the emotional roller coaster these women have to go through then we are one step closer to winning the battle with cancer.



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