Living with metastatic breast cancer
Every woman reacts differently to a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Initial reactions may include anger, shock, confusion, and fear. Give yourself time to experience your emotions. Allowing yourself to do so can make it easier to move on faster and become an active participant in your breast cancer treatment. Keep in mind that your diagnosis may have an emotional effect on your family members and friends. They also need time to come to terms with your diagnosis.
When you are ready to move forward and become an active partner in your treatment plans, the best way is to learn as much as you can about the disease and treatment options. This site provides a wealth of information to help you learn more about metastatic breast cancer. You can start with the Resources section of this site.
It is also important to make sure you have a support system in place. Talk to your friends and family members about the help you will need. If you need additional help, your doctor can provide you with the names of groups in your area that can provide support and assistance.
See Working with your doctor for additional tips on getting the most from your cancer treatment.
If you are caring for a loved one with cancer, see Information for caregivers to learn how you may provide effective support when needed.
Check out GlaxoSmithKline's Tykerb® CARES support program to help patients and the healthcare providers who treat them.
Questions about treatment with TYKERB?
Ask the Experts
Get the latest information
from www.TYKERB.com
Indication
TYKERB is indicated in combination with Xeloda® (capecitabine) for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress HER2 and who have received prior therapy including an anthracycline, a taxane, and Herceptin® (trastuzumab).
Important Safety Information
Before taking TYKERB, tell your doctor if you have heart problems. As with other treatments for HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer, there have been reports of changes in how the heart pumps blood through the body and how the heart beats. Call your doctor right away if you are short of breath, have rapid heartbeats (palpitations), or feel very tired.
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems. People who have liver problems may not be able to process TYKERB well, so you may need a lower dose of TYKERB.
Some people taking TYKERB have reported diarrhea. In some cases, diarrhea can be severe. Call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea. It is important to manage diarrhea with medicine as soon as it begins. Severe diarrhea may need to be treated with electrolytes and fluids given by mouth or by vein. Treatment with TYKERB may have to be delayed for a while or stopped completely.
If you have a dry cough or have shortness of breath, talk with your doctor. These may be signs of inflammation in the lungs.
Women should not become pregnant when taking TYKERB because the unborn baby may be harmed.
The most common side effects reported by patients taking TYKERB and Xeloda were diarrhea; vomiting; feeling sick to your stomach (nausea); feeling tired; red, painful hands and feet; and rash.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines and herbal and dietary supplements.
Because TYKERB is currently indicated to be taken with another medicine called Xeloda, be sure to talk with your doctor about any medicines and supplements that should be avoided when taking Xeloda.
Please see complete US Prescribing Information for TYKERB.
Herceptin is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.
Xeloda is a registered trademark of Roche Laboratories Inc.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only.