Today's headlines for metastatic breast cancer - live

[00:00:00]live again from bed this time. I'm not feeling too well.

[00:00:04]I have increased the dose of one of my medications and um not only am I feeling the side effects from that, but also just pain in my abdomen.

[00:00:16]I don't know if it's a side effect of the drug or um the cancer itself. But >> [snorts] >> I thought I'd come and talk to you about today's headlines.

[00:00:30]Um I like to keep track of what's happening in the world of metastatic breast cancer for obvious reasons.

[00:00:39]And I thought that'd be a really cool thing to share with you guys.

[00:00:46]So today we have um a story about long-term toxicity management in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. If that's you, hi. Thanks so much for being on. If you have HER2 or know someone who does, let me know and I can read you about that news. Um mine is HER2-low though, so I'm going to skip that one right now in case my followers have the same diagnosis as I do.

[00:01:28]Um the second one is about ESR1 sequencing, which has been on the news a lot lately.

[00:01:39]Um so basically, if your cancer is hormonal and you've been on hormone suppression for any length of time, you can develop a mutation that causes the cancer to be resistant to your aromatase inhibitors.

[00:02:00]Um it's an it's called an ESR1 mutation, and you can have your oncologist test you for that.

[00:02:07]Um I did develop that mutation, so that means that aromatase inhibitors no longer work for me, and I had to move on to the next line, which is SERDs.

[00:02:18]SERD stands for um selective estrogen receptor degraders.

[00:02:25]Um so it's been in the news a lot lately because we just got a brand new one.

[00:02:30]Can you flex your arm muscles? Hi. Um they're pretty skinny here.

[00:02:35]Let's see. That's what I got. I can see a little bit, a little change there.

[00:02:42]Um Okay, let me see if I can get a summary of this.

[00:03:02]Oh, I have 16 people on all of a sudden.

[00:03:04]Wow, that's the most I've ever had. Um Okay, so this was published in the Onc Live Peer Exchange.

[00:03:17]And um if you've progressed on a CDK4/6 inhibitor, um and you have an ESR1 mutation, obviously you're available to uh you're a good fit to take the SERDs.

[00:03:36]Um okay, this is kind of a long summary here. Let's see.

[00:03:42]Um yes, I would love a gift. Thank you so much.

[00:03:46]It you It would be my first gift.

[00:03:54]Okay.

[00:04:01]Sorry guys. Let me see.

[00:04:07]Okay, so oncologist are debating how to sequence oral SERDs.

[00:04:13]Um which one to take first, second, third. Personally, I started on fulvestrant. It only worked for 2 months for me, but I was okay with that because it was so painful and I couldn't walk after those shots.

[00:04:28]Um and then I moved on to elacestrant, but I only took one dose and I knew that was not going to be right for my esophagus and digestive tract. So now I'm on imlunestrant.

[00:04:38]Um which is tolerable for me.

[00:04:43]Um Okay, so basically they're debates on which one should be first in the sequence, second in the sequence, etc. Okay, this one is interesting. Bile acid buildup drives the spread of metastatic cancer.

[00:05:11]Uh I took a peek at this one a moment ago. It actually it was the one that gave me the idea of coming online and sharing with you.

[00:05:22]It's basically found that um people with metastatic breast cancer with unhealthy gut microbiomes um the cancer spreads faster and that um people who took um FDA approved drugs for reducing bile actually did a lot better on their cancer journey.

[00:05:50]So, let's see.

[00:05:53]Researchers at UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center found that an unhealthy gut microbiome, gut dysbiosis, impairs the body's ability to regulate bile acids. This leads to a build-up of bile acids, which triggers inflammation in breast tissue and fuels the spread, metastases, of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, particularly to the lungs.

[00:06:23]Um so, if you have a lung metastases, definitely um you know, do what you need to do to improve your gut microbiome.

[00:06:33]So, I just started feeling a little bit migrainey, which um the drug I'm on triggers them, unfortunately. I have this really cool um um piercing here that actually helps. It did reduce the number of migraines that I get. Uh and you basically you you twist it. It's apparently a pressure point in acupuncture, and so it's punctured and you activate it like that.

[00:07:01]And so, that's what I was doing before, twisting on my ear.

[00:07:05]Hopefully, it doesn't turn into a migraine cuz then I'll have to hop off of here.

[00:07:12]Um yeah, so isn't that interesting? Gut microbiome affects the spread of estrogen and progesterone-positive metastatic breast cancer, particularly to the lungs.

[00:07:32]Human clinical observations, looking at data from hormone-positive breast cancer patients, researchers observed that elevated bile acids and insulin resistance were linked to lower survival rates.

[00:07:48]Notably, patients with metastatic cancer who were already taking bile acid suppressing medications, bile acid sequestrants, had longer survival times.

[00:08:01]It might be worth it to ask your oncologist if um they could prescribe one of these or just to learn more about it. I'm going to save this in my little notes app on my phone for my next visit.

[00:08:25]Because bile acid sequestrants are already FDA-approved for metabolic conditions like high cholesterol, researchers hope these drugs or probiotic treatments that restore gut health could be repurposed to help prevent or slow breast cancer metastases. That is good news. It sounds like it's something pretty easy. In the another article I was reading, it said that it was well tolerated. So, amen to something that is well tolerated.

[00:08:58]And it was published in the journal Cancer Research. [snorts] Um what else?

[00:09:15]Exercises that improve quality of life for people with metastatic breast cancer.

[00:09:24]Let's summarize this new finding.

[00:09:37]Contrary to the common that people with metastatic breast cancer should avoid exercise, appropriate physical activity is safe and significantly improves physical and mental health, fatigue, pain, and overall quality of life.

[00:09:56]Recommended Um there's a mix of movements that are recommended. Aerobic, cardio, strength training, stretching and mindful movement like yoga or tai chi.

[00:10:17]Okay, this is add a question and answer sticker. Let's try it. A silly reason you've cried.

[00:10:29]That's cool. I'll leave that up there.

[00:10:31]Um Hello to the two people who are on right now. One person now. Thanks for being on here. Let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like to talk about.

[00:10:48]Cardio like walking, swimming, bicycling boosts metabolism and circulation while easing anxiety and depression.

[00:10:57]The goal is to gradually build up toward 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity per week.

[00:11:06]Um and it suggests starting with just 10 to 15 minutes of walking three or four times a week.

[00:11:14]My lips are so dry.

[00:11:17]Let's fix that.

[00:11:31]Okay.

[00:11:32]Strength training, um resistance work is especially crucial for those on hormone therapy to protect bone density.

[00:11:42]That's a good reminder for me. I'm no longer taking bone strengtheners cuz I've had bad uh reactions to to um several different kinds of those, so.

[00:11:54]It also though it hurts my hip and spine if I put too much weight on it, so. I don't know, but still still a good reminder. Stretching um helps relieve chest and shoulder tightness caused by surgery or radiation. I definitely have that. I just looked at a picture a a video that I took of myself and I noticed how um one side was really tight compared to the other.

[00:12:26]Um I had a bilateral mastectomy, so I had both breasts removed, but the side with the cancer is particularly tightly distorted.

[00:12:38]Um mindfulness movements enhance balance, coordination, sleep, and mood. They're especially helpful for individuals dealing with neuropathy issues from chemotherapy.

[00:12:53]Um Okay, and then managing your weight is directly correlated to survival.

[00:13:02]Um being at a healthy weight.

[00:13:07]Um People at a healthy weight tend to live longer.

[00:13:12]Okay, so that was that article.

[00:13:24]I'm just finding the next one.

[00:13:38]Hi everyone. Please say hello. Let me know you're here.

[00:13:42]Why are women so concerned about their weight more than men?

[00:13:46]Um, I don't I Well, I think because I don't know if this is the the right live for that. Cuz I'm talking about cancer.

[00:13:57]Um So not not so much weight like how you look, but your weight as it applies to um your health.

[00:14:08]So I hope both men and women are conscientious about being healthy.

[00:14:18]Okay.

[00:14:23]All right, that was a actually a repeat of the bile acid story.

[00:14:33]Okay, another story on HER2. If anyone here is HER2 positive, let me know and I'll read those headlines.

[00:14:53]A story about triple negative breast cancer. Let me know if you hear that.

[00:15:07]>> [laughter] >> Oh.

[00:15:13]Okay. I mean, I think it depends on I I mean, you know, humans run the gamut for sure.

[00:15:26]I women in general carry more fat naturally.

[00:15:30]Uh I think the average woman or a healthy woman has 25% fat versus a healthy man I think is more like 10% maybe.

[00:15:42]Um that's because we're made to carry babies and we need more fat.

[00:15:47]At least that's my understanding of it.

[00:15:57]Not 10%.

[00:15:59]If you find the answer to that let me know. I I thought it was something like that.

[00:16:03]16, okay.

[00:16:08]Yeah.

[00:16:11]Um Yeah, that's not as low as I thought it was. Thank you.

[00:16:29]Hi.

[00:16:31]Hi Hoggy. Thanks for coming in.

[00:16:38]Hey Braylon.

[00:16:42]Um All right, let's see. Here's another headline.

[00:16:50]Susan G. Komen applauds US House passage of legislation that will make breast health services more accessible.

[00:17:05]Okay.

[00:17:08]Um that's good. I'm I'm glad about that.

[00:17:21]>> Thanks so much Braylon for subscribing.

[00:17:24]I appreciate that.

[00:17:27]Oh, you got banned. What happened, Hoggy?

[00:17:55]Let's see. There was some other good news recently that I'd like to read for you.

[00:18:17]I get these Google alerts in my email so that I can keep up with the latest in metastatic breast cancer research.

[00:18:27]And um it can you know, provide some hope.

[00:18:58]Bye. Bye, Braylon. Frank.

[00:19:03]I'm sorry about your mom.

[00:19:09]Oh, well, interesting.

[00:19:13]Um I did That's That's interesting. That's good. I don't I mean, if you're underage, you probably shouldn't be going live. Um but if you're overage and they just mistook you for underage, that's unfortunate.

[00:19:31]Um you know, Blazer, the smoking weed thing is interesting because um for the last few decades, there's been evidence that cannabis does help kill cancer cells.

[00:19:46]Um but then recently, just this year, a few months ago, there was some evidence that um cannabis actually can make cancer grow faster. It It depends on the type of cancer. Um though smoking it, I don't think is ever good because that's carcinogenic when you burn it. But um there's other ways of consuming cannabis, which I do, and I find it helpful for many things, even um if it has some even if there's some evidence that it might might make the cancer spread more.

[00:20:28]But it's there's mixed evidence, so jury's out on that right now.

[00:20:37]Belle, you're also fighting metastatic cancer. It was diagnosed in 2003. I'm so sorry to hear that. What kind of cancer is it?

[00:20:48]Belle, I um I'm actually 10 years metastatic this year. In October, will be my 10-year anniversary of metastatic cancer. 11 altogether. It started off as stage 1A, but it um progressed very quickly.

[00:21:06]Um so, I was diagnosed in 2017.

[00:21:09]It's quite a ride. I really I hope you make the the most of it.

[00:21:15]Um, have the best life you're able to and keep hope because you really never know.

[00:21:22]My oncologist 8 years ago told me I had 4 to 8 months to live.

[00:21:31]Hi Rosemary.

[00:21:36]Well, huggy, that's a good problem to have to sound young but not be young.

[00:21:45]You're Gen X. I am I was Gen X but then they changed it so I think I'm technically a millennial. I'm 43 years old. I was born in '82.

[00:21:57]Yeah, Blazer sure does help with appetite.

[00:22:01]Except I usually take it right before bed and then I get the munchies at night and then I eat at midnight.

[00:22:09]Oh, yeah. Let Have you tried a raw diet yet, Belle?

[00:22:15]Um, I tried. I think I made it one day.

[00:22:21]But especially in the summer, I think it's easier.

[00:22:26]Um, diet has been tough for me because I like the joy of fatty, salty, processed foods.

[00:22:42]But I I do do my best to keep a balanced diet.

[00:22:55]Thanks, Blazer, for the information on cannabis.

[00:23:06]>> So Blazer, are you over 41?

[00:23:10]Yeah, fast food really is the worst. I don't have too much like drive-thru food.

[00:23:16]Um, but sometimes I am tired and making a full meal is just not in the cards, you know?

[00:23:28]Oh, yeah. Um have you asked for anything for the dry mouth, Belle?

[00:23:34]Um, I made myself a a rinse with glycerin and um mint essential oil.

[00:23:46]Um it did work for my dry mouth, but I also have sensitive gums and it it hurt my gums.

[00:23:56]Um and then in insomnia, I'm dealing with that now, too.

[00:24:02]Um, high-dose melatonin actually has a lot of anti-cancer effects and um a lot lots of research on it. That maybe that will help um help with your insomnia and help with disease.

[00:24:22]Um also valerian works well.

[00:24:29]Um amanita works really well for um anxiety and sleep, too.

[00:24:42]Yeah, broccoli and cauliflower has that sulforaphane, um which is apparently really good for people with cancer.

[00:24:55]Yeah, I'm glad you didn't go to McDonald's a lot either. I worked at McDonald's when I was a teenager and I got the largest meal every 4 hours cuz I got a free meal every 4 hours.

[00:25:08]Um that was not a good choice.

[00:25:14]What kind of magnesium are you taking, Belle?

[00:25:17]Um there's like 19 different kinds and they all have different purposes. Maybe it's not 19, but it's a bunch.

[00:25:28]Yeah, as long as you work out several hours before you plan to sleep.

[00:25:34]Otherwise, you can rev yourself up.

[00:25:37]But insomnia from cancer drugs is a whole different beast.

[00:25:42]Um you can try taking your cancer medication at a different time if possible.

[00:25:49]Um that might help.

[00:25:55]Glycinate. Is that the one that also helps with constipation?

[00:26:00]That one is supposed to help with sleep, too.

[00:26:21]Yeah, you know, um Blazer, it's interesting about fasting. It's the evidence seems to suggest that fasting really does help for people with early stage cancer, stage one through three.

[00:26:33]Um but apparently in stage four, the autophagy actually works against the person fasting. So, autophagy is what happens after a certain number of hours um when you're fasting.

[00:26:49]It It's like cellular breakdown of cells that are older or not working properly and that's usually a good thing except for people with metastatic cancer, the cancer cells eat those um those parts of cells, those dead and broken cells that were released that were killed through the autophagy and it it actually feeds the cancer. Um so it can be um I I looked into it I looked into fasting and in going to a fasting retreat because I didn't think I'd be able to do it on my own and they actually don't take people with metastatic cancer for that reason.

[00:27:32]So, I did fast at home. The longest I made it was 4 days um and um I've probably done five 4-day fasts.

[00:27:51]Um one time it was fantastic. I felt better for a few months.

[00:27:57]Um the other times I felt worse.

[00:28:01]Um so, I you know, certainly I am not um equipped to give medical advice, but that's my experience with it.

[00:28:21]Okay, citrate is for the for going to the bathroom. Thank you.

[00:28:31]Blazer, are you able to not eat sugar?

[00:28:33]I've tried for the 11 years that I've had cancer and um my willpower whatever it is. It's not so much sweets that bother that that tempt me, but carbs really do. Um I haven't been able to go without carbs for more than a few days. That's just my own willpower stuff. I know some people can do it and and they say they feel great. Uh actually I once did 7 days without carbs. That was the most miserable 7 days of my life.

[00:29:09]Um Yeah, Belle, let me know if there's anything in particular you were wondering about fasting.

[00:29:19]Yeah, I do intermittent fasting, too. Um that's actually pretty easy for me.

[00:29:25]Once I'm in a rhythm with it, I really don't feel hungry until like 3:00 p.m.

[00:29:31]and then I'll have a light lunch and a dinner around 7:00 and then not eat again until the next day at 3:00 p.m.

[00:29:50]Speaking of dinner, my wonderful husband is coming in with my dinner. I'm live on YouTube, by the way. So, um I'll say goodbye now. Thank you so much for joining me. Um it was lovely to hang out with all of you and I hope we get to do it again soon. Please give me a follow and we'll keep in touch.

[00:30:15]Bye, guys.

[00:30:18]Aw, thank you so much.

[00:30:20]You look like you have been fasting because your skin looks great. Thank you.

[00:30:26]Thank you for being Thank you for your life. Oh, thank you, Belle.

[00:30:30]Bye, guys.