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For you with
09/02/98 WED 13:11 FAX 202 4015783
CHIEF OF STAFF
002
ID:3014024945
PAGE
SEP-01-99 14:50 FROM: NCI/OCC
OVARY CANCER
New Cases: An estimated 25,400 new cases in the
Treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy
United States in 1998. It accounts for 4% of all cancers
are treatment options. Surgery usually includes the
among women and ranks second among gynecologic
removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes
cancers.
(salpingo-oophorectomy), and the uterus (hysterectomy).
Deaths: An estimated 14,500 deaths in 1998. Ovarian
In some very carly tumors, only the involved ovary will
cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the
be removed, especially in young women who wish to
female reproductive system.
have children. In advanced discase, an attempt is made
to remove all intraabdominal disease to enhance the
Signs and Symptoms: Ovarian cancer is often "silent,"
showing no obvious signs or symptoms until late in its
effect of chemotherapy.
development. The most common sign is enlargement of
Survival: Seventy-six percent of ovarian cancer patients
the abdomen, which is caused by accumulation of fluid.
survive one year after diagnosis; the 5-year relative sur-
Rarely will there be abnormal vaginal bleeding. In
vival rate for all stages is 46%. If diagnosed and treated
women over 40, vague digestive disturbances (stomach
early, the rate is 93%, however, only about 24% of all
discomfort, gas, distention) that persist and cannot be
cases are detected at the localized stage. Five-year
explained by any other cause may indicate the need for a
relative survival rates for women with regional and
thorough evaluarion for ovarian cancer, including a
distant discase are 55% and 25%, respectively.
carefully performed pelvic examination.
Risk Factors: Risk for ovarian cancer increases with age
and peaks in the eighth decade. Women who have never
had children are more likely to develop ovarian cancer
than those who have. Pregnancy and the use of oral
contraceptives appear to reduce the risk of developing
ovarian cancer. Women who have had breast cancer or
have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are at
increased risk. Mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have
been observed in these families. Another genetic
Addres facts
syndrome, hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer, is
characterized by colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer,
and ovarian cancer. With the exception of Japan,
industrialized countries have the highest incidence rates.
Early Detection: Periodic, thorough pelvic exams are
important. The Pap test, useful in detecting cervical
cancer, rarely uncovers ovarian cancer. Transvaginal
ultrasound and 8 tumor marker, CA125, may assist
diagnosis but are not recommended for routine
screening.
Five-Year Relative Survival Rates by Stage at Diagnosis"
All Stages
Local
Regional
Distant
All Stuges
Local
Regional
Distant
Site
%
%
%
%
Site
%
%
%
%
Brease (femalc)
84
97
76
21
Oral cavity
53
81
42
18
&
Cervix (urerus)
69
91
49
9
Ovary
46
93
55
25
Colon
62
93
67
8
Panerers
4
15
5
2
Endomerrium (uterus)
84
96
66
27
Prostate
89
100
94
31
11
23
JO
&
Rectum
3
K8
55
5
Exophagus
Stomach
21
of
21
2
Kidney
59
RR
()
9
Larynx
07
85
55
42
Testis
95
99
97
72
Liver
6
13
7
2
Thyroid
95
100
94
45
Lung
14
49
18
2
Urinary bladder
81
94
49
6
Melanoma
88
95
61
16
"Actmated for normal life expectancy, The chart in hancil on Card diagnosed from 1986 to 1993, Fulknvod through 1994,
Data Hource: NCI Surveillance, and End Results Program. 1997.
21199R. Anerican Cancer Seciery, Inc.
State of Mew
York
Chamber
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, attendant to the many health concerns facing women today are the various forms of cancer that
laim too many of our mothers, daughters. sisters and other loved ones: one of the prevalent types of cancer affecting
vomen is ovarian cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of death among women, following lung. breast and colon
ancer; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that during 1998. approximately 2,000 women in New York State will be
liagnosed with ovarian cancer and more than 1,000 of them will die from this disease; and
WHEREAS, when the disease of cervical cancer is detected early, women have an 80 to 90 percent chance
If surviving: however, ovarian cancer has few signs and symptoms; therefore, women with this disease are not usually
liagnosed until this aggressive malignancy has spread beyond the ovary: and
WHEREAS, the highest incidence of ovarian cancer occurs among women who are 50 years of age and above;
he risk particularly increases among women who are over 60 years of age; a woman is also at increased risk if there is
family history of ovarian cancer; in addition, a woman who has had breast cancer or has never been pregnant is more
ikely to develop this disease; all women. regardless of age or risk, should have an annual pelvic examination; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, legislation was enacted to establish the Ovarian Cancer Information Program within the
New York State Department of Health: the Department's Ovarian Cancer Information Advisory Council has focused its
fforts toward promoting awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms among women and health care providers; and
WHEREAS, it is crucial that all women in New York State take necessary steps by which they will learn to
ecognize the symptoms and risk factors associated with ovarian cancer: women are encouraged to develop good health
abits which include undergoing medical examinations regularly. so that any occurrence of a disease such as ovarian
ancer may be detected in the early and treatable stage;
NOW, THEREFORE, I. George E. Pataki. Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim March
.998 as
OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
n the Empire State.
GIVEN under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the
Capitol in the City of Albany this eleventh day of March in the
year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight.
Gyr E. Patil
GOVERNOR
State of Mew York
Coccutive Chamber
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, attendant to the many health concerns facing women today are the various forms of cancer that
claim too many of our mothers, daughters. sisters and other loved ones: one of the prevalent types of cancer affecting
women is ovarian cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of death among women, following lung, breast and colon
cancer; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that during 1998. approximately 2,000 women in New York State will be
diagnosed with ovarian cancer and more than 1,000 of them will die from this disease; and
WHEREAS, when the disease of cervical cancer is detected early. women have an 80 to 90 percent chance
of surviving: however, ovarian cancer has few signs and symptoms; therefore, women with this disease are not usually
diagnosed until this aggressive malignancy has spread beyond the ovary: and
WHEREAS, the highest incidence of ovarian cancer occurs among women who are 50 years of age and above:
the risk particularly increases among women who are over 60 years of age; a woman is also at increased risk if there is
family history of ovarian cancer; in addition, a woman who has had breast cancer or has never been pregnant is more
likely to develop this disease; all women, regardless of age or risk, should have an annual pelvic examination; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, legislation was enacted to establish the Ovarian Cancer Information Program within the
New York State Department of Health: the Department's Ovarian Cancer Information Advisory Council has focused its
efforts toward promoting awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms among women and health care providers; and
WHEREAS, it is crucial that all women in New York State take necessary steps by which they will learn to
recognize the symptoms and risk factors associated with ovarian cancer: women are encouraged to develop good health
habits which include undergoing medical examinations regularly. so that any occurrence of a disease such as ovarian
cancer may be detected in the early and treatable stage:
NOW, THEREFORE, 1. George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim March
1998 as
OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
in the Empire State.
GIVEN under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the
Capitol in the City of Albany this eleventh day of March in the
year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight.
Gyr E. Patir
GOVERNOR
Jennifer L. Klein
06/10/98 10:59:08 AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Phillip Caplan/WHO/EOP
CC:
Subject: Liz Tilberis
As a reminder, I am wondering how we can raise awareness about ovarian cancer through a
presidential proclamation. You asked for more information about Liz Tilberis and ovarian cancer.
Liz Tilberis is the highly respected Editor -in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar. She was diagnosed with
ovarian cancer in 1993 and recently published a book about her experience called No Time to Die.
Each year, 27,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A women's risk over her lifetime of
being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is 1 in 55, according the National Institutes of Health. From
1985 to 1995, NIH reported a 30 percent increase in cases of ovarian cancer.
Just let me know what we need to do next. Thanks for your help.
09/10/98 THU 12:35 FAX
001
fax # 6-2878
THE WHITE HOUSE
Jen Klein
WASHINGTON
September 10, 1998
URGENT
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FIRST LADY'S STAFF (MELANNE VERVEER)
PHIL CAPLAN (SEAN MALONEY)
CHARLES RUFF
THURGOOD MARSHALL, JR.
LARRY STEIN
BRUCE REED
CRAIG SMITH
MINYON MOORE
VIRGINIA APUZZO
STEPHANIE STREETT - FYI
FROM:
Lana Dickey/Maureen Hudson
for DAN BURKHARDT
SUBJECT:
(Draft Proclamation)
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week
Attached for your review is the above-mentioned proclamation
designating September 13-19, 1998, as "Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Week."
It was submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services
and edited/revised by the Presidential Letters and Messages
Office.
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED. Written or oral response required
by no later than 5:00 P.M. TODAY. IF WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU
BY 5:00 P.M/, WE WILL ASSUME THAT THE DRAFT IS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU.
For questions, discussion, or routine clearance, contact Lana
Dickey, extension 65504, or Maureen Hudson, extension 65902,
via phone or interoffice mail, in room 91. Thank you.
CC: Tim Saunders
09/10/98 THU 12:35 FAX
002
OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS WEEK, 1998
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
We have many weapons at hand in our war against cancer,
and among the most effective is early diagnosis. With ovarian
cancer in particular -- sometimes called the "silent killer"
because it shows no obvious signs or symptoms until late in its
development -- early diagnosis can mean the difference between
life and death. Of the estimated 26,000 American women who were
diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year, an estimated 14,000
women died. Currently, almost 70 percent of women with ovarian
cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is in its advanced
stages; in many cases, the cancer has already spread by the
time it is discovered.
We know relatively little about why some women develop this
deadly disease. While every woman is at risk, we do know that
ovarian cancer occurs somewhat more frequently in women who have
never been pregnant. women who have had breast cancer or who
have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are also at
increased risk. There are other genetic factors as well that
can affect the incidence of ovarian cancer.
We do have hope in our fight against this cancer.
Scientists at medical centers and hospitals across our
Nation are developing significant new information that holds
promise for the future, particularly for research in genetic
susceptibility and prevention, diagnostic imaging, screening
and diagnosis, and treatment. For example, because of their
knowledge about the ovarian cancer risk genes known as BRCA1 and
BRCA2, researchers are now able to work on developing prevention
and screening with women in families at high risk for ovarian
cancer. These researchers are also making progress in the area
of treatment through improvements in existing chemotherapy
regimens.
09/10/98 THU 12:36 FAX
003
2
While we take heart from these promising developments,
we also recognize the need for a greater awareness and
understanding of ovarian cancer. As we observe Ovarian Cancer
Awareness Week and affirm our national commitment to fighting
this devastating disease, I encourage all American women and
their families to learn more about ovarian cancer, and I urge
health care professionals to emphasize to their patients the
importance of regular examinations. By doing 80, we can build
on the progress we have made in our crusade against cancer and
ensure healthier, longer lives for women.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and lawe of the United States, do hereby
proclaim September 13 through September 19, 1998, as Ovarian
Cancer Awareness Week. I encourage the American people to
observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
day of
. in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.
Lana Dickey
07/21/98 06:20:35 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Jennifer L. Klein/OPD/EOP
CC:
Subject: National Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Jen, what I understand from Phil Caplan and Dan Burkhardt is that this observance is being
considered for a week instead of a month. And Dan's suggestion is a week in September when we
are not heavy with proclamations, if possible. Is there a special week that you would suggest?
As I mentioned on your voice-mail: we have one proclamation for the week of September 6; three
proclamations for the week of September 13; three proclamations for the week of September 20;
and six proclamations for the week of September 27 - October 3.
I would like to be able to call the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and give them an answer to the
request sent in to the President. Thanks, Lana.
No Time to Die
http://bubblemouth.pathfinder.com/.thors/liz_tilberis/no_time_to_die/
www.littlebrown.com
Book Catalog I Author's Corner I News from LB I Book Lover's Community
Little, Brown and Company
About the Book
Current Selection
No Time to Die
Liz Tilberis
Publisher
"An amazingly courageous woman tells
Little Brown
her gripping story." -Linda McCartney
Section
In 1993, Liz Tilberis seemed to have it all.
She was a working mother with a family
Book Catalog
who adored her. As editor in-chief of
HarperOs Bazaar; she lived at the center of
Liz Tilberis
Subsection
the glamorous world of international
No Time to
fashion and was widely recognized as one
Memoir
Title Directory
of the most powerful people in the
industry. Her days were filled with fashion
ISBN: 0-316-77674-2
Related Options
shows and glittering parties. Her circle of
Hardcover
$23.95/U.S.
About Liz Tilberis
friends included Karl Lagerfeld and the
304 pages
Princess of Wales.
Order Information
6-1/4 X 9-1/4
That year she was diagnosed with ovarian
cancer.
Liz Tilberis's life began conventionally
enough, but her rebelliousness showed
early on. By the time she was nineteen she
had been expelled from one art school and
was involved in a passionate romance with
a teacher at another (an affair which
ultimately led to a loving marriage). At age
twenty-one, she landed a job at British
Vogue, her entr into one of the worldOs
most glamorous magazines.
Tilberis worked at Vogue for twenty-two
years, rising from unpaid intern to editor in
chief in a period that saw dramatic changes>
in both fashion and society Throughthe
same period, Tilberis also weathered
personal trials. N told she was-infertile, she
underwent years of fertility treatments
before she and her husband, Andrew,
adopted their two sons.
But Tilberis's true career triumph came
when she washired to head Vogue's
arch-rival, Harper Os Bazaar. She and her
family moved from London to New York
and into the fashion "big time," where
Tilberis was charged with revitalizing the
jewel in the crown of the Hearst publishing
empire. Her revamped Bazaar electrified
1 of 3
06/09/98 16:10:01
No Time to Die
http://bubblemouth.pathfinder.com/.thors/liz_tilberis/no_time_to_dic/
the fashion world and brought a new
elegance to fashion publishing: designers'
visions were brought to life in photo
spreads conceived as works of art. In the
midst of achieving this creative coup,
Tilberis underwent major surgery and her
first round of chemotherapy.
The therapy succeeded, but the cancer
eventually recurred. This time, treatment
involved an excruciating and
life-threatening bone-marrow transplant.
Although drained physically and
emotionally, Tilberis conducted editorial
meetings from her hospital bed.
Today, under Liz Tilberis's leadership,
Harper's Bazaar is one of the world's
fashion authorities. She also continues to
fight on behalf of other cancer sufferers.
As president of the Ovarian. Cancer
Research und, she is speaking out about a
disease that, she believes, she developed
because of the fertility treatments she
underwent years before.
This lively, inspiring memoir offers a
no-holds-barred look inside the world of
fashion magazines and a candid account of
a battle with a debilitating illness.
Approaching every obstacle with
optimism, humor, and grace, Liz Tilberis
has written a story that celebrates life and
the ultimate triumph of a passionate,
determined, and courageous woman.
Praise for Liz Tilberis's No Time to Die
"This book is terrific, so straightforward,
informative, humorous, and moving."
-Tracey Ullman
"There is not a human being who does not
ask herself the question "what if?" Liz
TilberisOs book, No Time to Die, is a story
women everywhere will connect with,
written with love, compassion, and
openness. With her fortitude and fight, Liz
creates a guide that brings home the
impossible-to-imagine experience. Her
indomitable spirit shines through on every
page." -Donna Karan
"This may be a book for women, but men
should read it too. ItOs a marvelous lesson
on hope. At the same time, one discovers a
unique and courageous person." -Karl
Lagerfeld
2 of 3
06/09/98 16:10:14
Copyright (c) 1998 by UMI Company. All rights reserved.
Access No:
31236319980412 ProQuest - The New York Times (R) Ondisc
Title:
After the Ball
Authors:
Katherine Bouton
Source:
New York Times Book Review,
Date:
Apr 12, 1998 Sec: 7 Book Review Desk p: 26
Length: Long (1162 words) Type: Book Review-Favorable
Subjects:
Books-titles; Books-authors; Death & dying; Nonfiction;
Autobiographies; Ovarian cancer
Names:
Tilberis, Liz; Ball, Aimee Lee
Copyright 1998 The New York Times Company.
Article Text:
NO TIME TO DIE By Liz Tilberis with Aimee Lee Ball. Illustrated. 292
pp. Boston: Little, Brown & Company. $23.95.
Just before Christmas of 1993, Liz Tilberis stood in the living room of
her East Side townhouse greeting 250 of New York's most glittering guests:
Ralph Lauren (who had designed her full-length plum velvet dress) and
Calvin Klein, Isaac Mizrahi and Donna Karan, Blaine and Robert Trump,
Paloma Picasso, Barbara Walters, a trio of her admiring bosses at Hearst,
including Randolph Hearst himself. Flowering quince graced the mantels,
sprays of exotic white lilies flanked the french doors, a jazz pianist
played the grand piano. Occasionally Tilberis and her husband of 22 years,
Andrew, would catch each other's eye and 'share the kind of silent,
private exchange available to long-married couples.' Two years earlier,
she had left her job at British Vogue to take over the ailing Har-per's
Bazaar, and now, after a bitter and public personnel blood bath, she had
brought the magazine around; in April it had won two National Magazine
Awards. The exchange between husband and wife might have been one of
triumph, the party the stuff of gossip columns, were it not for the fact
that Tilberis was scheduled to have surgery the following morning for what
would turn out to be Stage 3 ovarian cancer.
She told only one very close friend that night what she and her doctors
suspected. But by February her condition was being mentioned routinely in
this and other newspapers, mostly in the past tense, as if her surgery had
been a one-time thing and she was now recovering. Readers of 'No Time to
Die,' a frank, often moving and surprisingly funny memoir, deftly written
with Aimee Lee Ball, will learn that her cheerful candor hid a great deal
more than most suspected.
Tilberis has strong and persuasive views about how she came to be
afflicted with this rare cancer. In her early 30's she underwent nine
cycles of in-vitro fertilization, each time taking powerful
hormone-stimulating drugs. A study published the year before Tilberis's
cancer was diagnosed, by Dr. Alice Whittemore at Stanford University, had
found that women treated with fertility drugs who later went on to have
children were three times as likely as their peers to develop ovarian
cancer, while those women who did not succeed in getting pregnant were 27
times as likely to develop the disease. Tilberis, who never conceived (she
and her husband adopted their two sons), acknowledges that the Whittemore
study has weaknesses (as does Whittemore herself) but remains convinced
that the drugs she took were the cause of her later troubles.
Despite the limousines and designer clothes, the charity balls and
Concorde flights, her friendship with the Princess of Wales ('Hello, it's
Diana, a voice on the phone says shortly after Tilberis's first
operation. 'Diana who?' asks a befuddled Andrew Tilberis), Liz Tilberis
sounds genuinely likable and down to earth. At 150 pounds ('practically
illegal in our business') and prematurely gray ('I don't have the
attention span' for hair coloring), she never fit the fashion-editor mold.
But that didn't stop her. Tilberis attributes her success to a
combination of slavish work and great good fortune, and her ups and
downs in the fashion world make for a diverting if breathless account.
She knew from a young age that she wanted to work in fashion, and her
sensible nature served her well as she rose through the ranks in the often
manic environment of British Vogue. Her colleagues were a colorful bunch,
and though most of her anecdotes are affectionate, she's occasionally
disarmingly blunt. Arriving in New York to a suspicious and wary staff at
Harper's Bazaar, she went through an uneasy transition. At the January
Paris couture shows, soon after her arrival, she found herself 'sitting
all alone in the front row.
The existing Bazaar staff was there,
pointing and whispering, and Conde-Nast-ers publicly snubbed me as well
Meanwhile half the fashion editors in the world were calling my hotel
room and pressing notes into my hands, pleading for jobs. One woman
followed me into a bathroom and stuck her resume under the door of the
stall. She is unafraid to name names when she thinks she's been wronged.
In the fall of 1991, then the editor of British Vogue and in negotiations
with Hearst, she made an appointment to see her boss at Conde Nast, S. I.
Newhouse, in the hope he would talk her out of the change. 'If he had just
dropped his habitual inscrutability for one moment to give me and British
Vogue a vote of confidence I would have happily stayed on, she writes.
'But by the time I walked out on the street, I knew exactly what I was
going to do.'
She is also generous with her praise, even for her rivals, loyal to her
friends and candid about herself, describing the abortion she had as a
teen-ager, the pelvic inflammatory disease that left her infertile, the
decision to adopt their two sons: 'I'm not a spiritual person
But
there's a part of me that believes Robbie and Chris are the sons Andrew
and I were 'meant' to have.
It would not be possible to love them
more if I had carried them in my womb.'
It is the narrative of her illness that weaves these disparate elements
into the powerful reality of a life. In 1995 her cancer recurred, and this
time her doctors recommended a harrowing regimen of massive doses of
chemo-therapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. Early the next year,
despite the ordeal and insult of highest-dose chemotherapy,' her cancer
recurred, as it did in December of 1996 and again last July. 'Some women
contract a variety of ovarian cancer so virulent that they are dead within
18 months, despite all intervention, while I and others live with ovarian
cancer as if it's a chronic disease, periodically getting treated,'
Tilberis writes. 'As more time passes, access to new drugs increases,
offering greater hope and longer life.' For those who are skeptical that
attitude can affect the course of a disease, her optimism offers a strong
argument in its favor. 'Chemo is my least favorite thing to do in life,
she writes, 'and I hope to continue doing it for another 50 years.'
Tilberis has made her personal suffering into a crusade for better
public awareness of ovarian cancer, and this book serves her cause.
Comparisons with Betty Rollin's 'First, You Cry' are inevitable. One hopes
that Tilberis, like Rollin, will succeed in bringing her disease to the
public consciousness, and that it will lead to better screening for women
at risk, better research into the causes and better treatment. And one
hopes that Tilberis, like Rollin, will go on to a long and productive
career that has nothing to do with cancer.
Caption:
Katherine Bouton is the deputy editor of The New York Times Magazine.
Page 2
LEVEL 1 - 2 OF 85 STORIES
Copyright 1998 PR Newswire Association, Inc.
PR Newswire
May 8, 1998, Friday
SECTION: Financial News
DISTRIBUTION: TO BUSINESS EDITOR
LENGTH: 1207 words
HEADLINE: Ovarian Cancer Patients Sought for Worldwide Study; Study of Nearly
700 Women to Examine Use of Investigational Agent in Preventing Chemotherapy
Resistance; ;
Trial Sponsored by Novartis
DATELINE: EAST HANOVER, N.J., May 8
BODY:
A phase III, multicenter clinical trial is seeking 698 women with advanced
ovarian cancer to participate in a study evaluating the combination of standard
chemotherapy with PSC 833 an investigational agent that may have the ability
both to overcome pre-existing chemotherapy resistance and prevent the
development of this resistance in patients whose tumors are responsive initially
to treatment. The study, sponsored by Novartis, intends to enroll 698
patients in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and
Australia.
Ovarian Cancer and Multidrug Resistance (MDR)
While most patients with advanced ovarian cancer respond initially to
chemotherapy, as many as a quarter do not, and the great majority of
responders eventually become resistant to a broad range of structurally
and functionally unrelated chemotherapeutic agents. Known as multidrug
resistance (MDR), this resistance occurs because a protein within the cancer
cell membrane "pumps" out the cytotoxic drugs, thereby preventing these drugs
from reaching toxic levels and causing the cell to die. Approximately
800,000 cancer patients annually are unable to receive the optimal benefit of
chemotherapy because of MDR, a phenomenon that contributes substantially to
morbidity and mortality.
"Even in later stages when it's most often detected ovarian cancer
usually responds to treatment. However, after time, the disease often stops
responding to chemotherapy," began Gail Hayward, President of the National
Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Inc. "That's why it's important for patients to
know about studies of these kind - SO that potential treatments can be further
evaluated and we can make inroads in the fight against ovarian cancer."
Description of the Study
Researchers will evaluate whether PSC 833, when administered in
combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy can either
reverse pre-existing MDR or prevent the development of MDR in those patients
whose tumors are responsive initially to treatment, thereby improving survival
compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Study participants
will be randomly assigned to one of twotreatment arms: chemotherapy alone or
TM
TM
TM
LEXIS:NEXIS'
LEXIS:NEXIS'
LEXIS:NEXIS'
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
Page 3
PR Newswire, May 8, 1998
chemotherapy in conjunction with PSC 833. The study is seeking 698 patients
with advanced (stage III or IV) ovarian cancer.
Multidrug Resistance
When a malignant tumor is resistant to a wide range of anticancer drugs,
this phenomenon is known as multidrug resistance (MDR) While there are
other mechanisms of MDR, the best understood results from the activity
of a molecule known as P- glycoprotein (P-gp), which may be found in certain
cellular membranes. A product of the mdr1 gene (multiple drug resistance
gene), P-gp is found in high levels in many chemotherapy-resistant tumors and
in low levels in chemotherapy-responsive tumors.
P-gp is expressed in some normal tissue; however, within the context of
cancer chemotherapy, P-gp "pumps" certain cytotoxic drugs out of tumor cells.
It thereby prevents these drugs from reaching toxic levels and destroying the
malignant cells. Because P-gp forces out some cytotoxic drugs, cancers become
resistant to certain chemotherapy and renders them unresponsive to this
treatment. P-gp-mediated resistance is thus a significant clinical problem
that might be mitigated by the development of a drug designed either to
prevent P-gp expression in tumor cells or to reverse its effect. Findings
from preclinical studies suggest that PSC 833, the investigational agent being
evaluated in this study, may have the capacity to block the P-gp pump from
expelling cytotoxic drugs from tumor cells and, thus, potentially prevent the
malignant cells' loss of responsiveness to chemotherapy.
"Multidrug resistance is a problem for many ovarian cancer patients,"
said David Parkinson, MD, vice president, clinical research and head,
U.S. oncology therapeutic area for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
"This study is designed to prevent the emergence of MDR and thus provide
oncologists and their patients an additional option in treating advanced
ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Incidence
The American Cancer Society estimates that, in 1998, 25,400 American
women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and that approximately
14,500 women will die of the disease. Ovarian cancer usually shows no
signs or symptoms until late in its development, and it causes more
deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
PSC 833 Trials
Ongoing trials are assessing the efficacy of PSC 833 in acute
myelogenous leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, renal
cell carcinoma, colon cancer and breast cancer, as well as ovarian
cancer.
All study participants must be at least 18 years of age with a diagnosis
of stage IV or suboptimally debulked stage III epithelial ovarian cancer
or primary cancer of the peritoneum.
Novartis
Novartis Pharmaceuticals oncology products include Aredia* (pamidronate
disodium for injection) for the treatment of osteolytic bone metastases
in patients with multiple myeloma or breast cancer, hypercalcemia of
malignancy, and Paget's disease; Femara* (letrozole tablets) for the treatment
of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression
following antiestrogen therapy; Sandostatin* (octreotide acetate) for control
of symptoms in patients with metastatic carcinoid and vasoactive intestinal
TM
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LEXIS·NEXIS'
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
Page 4
PR Newswire, May 8, 1998
peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas), and for the treatment of acromegaly; and
Sandoglobulin* (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) IGIV for the maintenance
therapy for primary immunodeficiency syndromes and for the treatment of immune
thrombocytopenia purpura. The company also has several oncology compounds in
development, including a gene therapy for glioblastoma (a type of brain
tumor).
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufacturers
and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number
of diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ
transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases,
respiratory disorders, cancer and arthritis. The company's mission is
to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.
Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, is an
affiliate of the Novartis Group, a world leader in Life Sciences with
core business in Healthcare, Agribusiness and Nutrition. In 1997, Novartis
Group sales were 31.2 billion Swiss francs (U.S. $21.7 billion), of which 18.8
billion (U.S. $13.1 billion) were in Healthcare, 8.3 billion
(U.S. $5.8 billion) in Agribusiness and 4.1 billion (U.S. $2.8 billion) in
Nutrition. The company annually invests more than 3 billion Swiss francs
(U.S. $2.1 billion) in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis
employs about 87,000 people and operates in over 100 countries around the
world.
SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
CONTACT: Gloria C. Stone of Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Corporation, 973-781-5587
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: May 9, 1998
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Copyright (c) 1998 by UMI Company. All rights reserved.
Access No:
31236319980412 ProQuest - The New York Times (R) Ondisc
Title:
After the Ball
Authors:
Katherine Bouton
Source:
New York Times Book Review,
Date:
Apr 12, 1998 Sec: 7 Book Review Desk p: 26
Length: Long (1162 words) Type: Book Review-Favorable
Subjects:
Books-titles; Books-authors; Death & dying; Nonfiction;
Autobiographies; Ovarian cancer
Names:
Tilberis, Liz; Ball, Aimee Lee
Copyright 1998 The New York Times Company.
Article Text:
NO TIME TO DIE By Liz Tilberis with Aimee Lee Ball. Illustrated. 292
pp. Boston: Little, Brown & Company. $23.95.
Just before Christmas of 1993, Liz Tilberis stood in the living room of
her East Side townhouse greeting 250 of New York's most glittering guests:
Ralph Lauren (who had designed her full-length plum velvet dress) and
Calvin Klein, Isaac Mizrahi and Donna Karan, Blaine and Robert Trump,
Paloma Picasso, Barbara Walters, a trio of her admiring bosses at Hearst,
including Randolph Hearst himself. Flowering quince graced the mantels,
sprays of exotic white lilies flanked the french doors, a jazz pianist
played the grand piano. Occasionally Tilberis and her husband of 22 years,
Andrew, would catch each other's eye and 'share the kind of silent,
private exchange available to long-married couples.' Two years earlier,
she had left her job at British Vogue to take over the ailing Har-per's
Bazaar, and now, after a bitter and public personnel blood bath, she had
brought the magazine around; in April it had won two National Magazine
Awards. The exchange between husband and wife might have been one of
triumph, the party the stuff of gossip columns, were it not for the fact
that Tilberis was scheduled to have surgery the following morning for what
would turn out to be Stage 3 ovarian cancer.
She told only one very close friend that night what she and her doctors
suspected. But by February her condition was being mentioned routinely in
this and other newspapers, mostly in the past tense, as if her surgery had
been a one-time thing and she was now recovering. Readers of 'No Time to
Die, a frank, often moving and surprisingly funny memoir, deftly written
with Aimee Lee Ball, will learn that her cheerful candor hid a great deal
more than most suspected.
Tilberis has strong and persuasive views about how she came to be
afflicted with this rare cancer. In her early 30's she underwent nine
cycles of in-vitro fertilization, each time taking powerful
hormone-stimulating drugs. A study published the year before Tilberis's
cancer was diagnosed, by Dr. Alice Whittemore at Stanford University, had
found that women treated with fertility drugs who later went on to have
children were three times as likely as their peers to develop ovarian
cancer, while those women who did not succeed in getting pregnant were 27
times as likely to develop the disease. Tilberis, who never conceived (she
and her husband adopted their two sons), acknowledges that the Whittemore
study has weaknesses (as does Whittemore herself) but remains convinced
that the drugs she took were the cause of her later troubles.
Despite the limousines and designer clothes, the charity balls and
Concorde flights, her friendship with the Princess of Wales ('Hello, it's
Diana,' a voice on the phone says shortly after Tilberis's first
operation. 'Diana who?' asks a befuddled Andrew Tilberis), Liz Tilberis
sounds genuinely likable and down to earth. At 150 pounds ('practically
illegal in our business') and prematurely gray ('I don't have the
attention span' for hair coloring), she never fit the fashion-editor mold.
But that didn't stop her. Tilberis attributes her success to a
'combination of slavish work and great good fortune,' and her ups and
downs in the fashion world make for a diverting if breathless account.
She knew from a young age that she wanted to work in fashion, and her
sensible nature served her well as she rose through the ranks in the often
manic environment of British Vogue. Her colleagues were a colorful bunch,
and though most of her anecdotes are affectionate, she's occasionally
disarmingly blunt. Arriving in New York to a suspicious and wary staff at
Harper's Bazaar, she went through an uneasy transition. At the January
Paris couture shows, soon after her arrival, she found herself 'sitting
all alone in the front row.
The existing Bazaar staff was there,
pointing and whispering, and Conde-Nast-ers publicly snubbed me as well.
Meanwhile half the fashion editors in the world were calling my hotel
room and pressing notes into my hands, pleading for jobs. One woman
followed me into a bathroom and stuck her resume under the door of the
stall.' She is unafraid to name names when she thinks she's been wronged.
In the fall of 1991, then the editor of British Vogue and in negotiations
with Hearst, she made an appointment to see her boss at Conde Nast, S. I.
Newhouse, in the hope he would talk her out of the change. 'If he had just
dropped his habitual inscrutability for one moment to give me and British
Vogue a vote of confidence I would have happily stayed on,' she writes.
'But by the time I walked out on the street, I knew exactly what I was
going to do.'
She is also generous with her praise, even for her rivals, loyal to her
friends and candid about herself, describing the abortion she had as a
teen-ager, the pelvic inflammatory disease that left her infertile, the
decision to adopt their two sons: 'I'm not a spiritual person
But
there's a part of me that believes Robbie and Chris are the sons Andrew
and I were 'meant' to have
It would not be possible to love them
more if I had carried them in my womb.'
It is the narrative of her illness that weaves these disparate elements
into the powerful reality of a life. In 1995 her cancer recurred, and this
time her doctors recommended a harrowing regimen of massive doses of
chemo-therapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. Early the next year,
despite 'the ordeal and insult of highest-dose chemotherapy,' her cancer
recurred, as it did in December of 1996 and again last July. 'Some women
contract a variety of ovarian cancer so virulent that they are dead within
18 months, despite all intervention, while I and others live with ovarian
cancer as if it's a chronic disease, periodically getting treated,'
Tilberis writes. 'As more time passes, access to new drugs increases,
offering greater hope and longer life.' For those who are skeptical that
attitude can affect the course of a disease, her optimism offers a strong
argument in its favor. 'Chemo is my least favorite thing to do in life,'
she writes, 'and I hope to continue doing it for another 50 years.'
Tilberis has made her personal suffering into a crusade for better
public awareness of ovarian cancer, and this book serves her cause.
Comparisons with Betty Rollin's 'First, You Cry' are inevitable. One hopes
that Tilberis, like Rollin, will succeed in bringing her disease to the
public consciousness, and that it will lead to better screening for women
at risk, better research into the causes and better treatment. And one
hopes that Tilberis, like Rollin, will go on to a long and productive
career that has nothing to do with cancer.
Caption:
Katherine Bouton is the deputy editor of The New York Times Magazine.
Page 2
LEVEL 1 - 2 OF 85 STORIES
Copyright 1998 PR Newswire Association, Inc.
PR Newswire
May 8, 1998, Friday
SECTION: Financial News
DISTRIBUTION: TO BUSINESS EDITOR
LENGTH: 1207 words
HEADLINE: Ovarian Cancer Patients Sought for Worldwide Study; Study of Nearly
700 Women to Examine Use of Investigational Agent in Preventing Chemotherapy
Resistance;
Trial Sponsored by Novartis
DATELINE: EAST HANOVER, N.J., May 8
BODY:
A phase III, multicenter clinical trial is seeking 698 women with advanced
ovarian cancer to participate in a study evaluating the combination of standard
chemotherapy with PSC 833 -- an investigational agent that may have the ability
both to overcome pre-existing chemotherapy resistance and prevent the
development of this resistance in patients whose tumors are responsive initially
to treatment. The study, sponsored by Novartis, intends to enroll 698
patients in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and
Australia.
Ovarian Cancer and Multidrug Resistance (MDR)
While most patients with advanced ovarian cancer respond initially to
chemotherapy, as many as a quarter do not, and the great majority of
responders eventually become resistant to a broad range of structurally
and functionally unrelated chemotherapeutic agents. Known as multidrug
resistance (MDR), this resistance occurs because a protein within the cancer
cell membrane "pumps" out the cytotoxic drugs, thereby preventing these drugs
from reaching toxic levels and causing the cell to die. Approximately
800,000 cancer patients annually are unable to receive the optimal benefit of
chemotherapy because of MDR, a phenomenon that contributes substantially to
morbidity and mortality.
"Even in later stages when it's most often detected ovarian cancer
usually responds to treatment. However, after time, the disease often stops
responding to chemotherapy,' began Gail Hayward, President of the National
Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Inc. "That's why it's important for patients to
know about studies of these kind - so that potential treatments can be further
evaluated and we can make inroads in the fight against ovarian cancer. If
Description of the Study
Researchers will evaluate whether PSC 833, when administered in
combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy can either
reverse pre-existing MDR or prevent the development of MDR in those patients
whose tumors are responsive initially to treatment, thereby improving survival
compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Study participants
will be randomly assigned to one of twotreatment arms: chemotherapy alone or
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Page 3
PR Newswire, May 8, 1998
chemotherapy in conjunction with PSC 833. The study is seeking 698 patients
with advanced (stage III or IV) ovarian cancer.
Multidrug Resistance
When a malignant tumor is resistant to a wide range of anticancer drugs,
this phenomenon is known as multidrug resistance (MDR). While there are
other mechanisms of MDR, the best understood results from the activity
of a molecule known as P- glycoprotein (P-gp), which may be found in certain
cellular membranes. A product of the mdr1 gene (multiple drug resistance
gene), P-gp is found in high levels in many chemotherapy-resistant tumors and
in low levels in chemotherapy-responsive tumors.
P-gp is expressed in some normal tissue; however, within the context of
cancer chemotherapy, P-gp "pumps" certain cytotoxic drugs out of tumor cells.
It thereby prevents these drugs from reaching toxic levels and destroying the
malignant cells. Because P-gp forces out some cytotoxic drugs, cancers become
resistant to certain chemotherapy and renders them unresponsive to this
treatment. P-gp-mediated resistance is thus a significant clinical problem
that might be mitigated by the development of a drug designed either to
prevent P-gp expression in tumor cells or to reverse its effect. Findings
from preclinical studies suggest that PSC 833, the investigational agent being
evaluated in this study, may have the capacity to block the P-gp pump from
expelling cytotoxic drugs from tumor cells and, thus, potentially prevent the
malignant cells' loss of responsiveness to chemotherapy.
"Multidrug resistance is a problem for many ovarian cancer patients," "
said David Parkinson, MD, vice president, clinical research and head,
U.S. oncology therapeutic area for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
"This study is designed to prevent the emergence of MDR and thus provide
oncologists and their patients an additional option in treating advanced
ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Incidence
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 1998, 25,400 American
women will beldiagnosed with ovarian cancer and that approximately
14 500 women will die of the disease Ovarian cancer usually shows no
signs or symptoms until late in its development, and it causes more
deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
PSC 833 Trials
Ongoing trials are assessing the efficacy of PSC 833 in acute
myelogenous leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, renal
cell carcinoma, colon cancer and breast cancer, as well as ovarian
cancer.
All study participants must be at least 18 years of age with a diagnosis
of stage IV or suboptimally debulked stage III epithelial ovarian cancer
or primary cancer of the peritoneum.
Novartis
Novartis Pharmaceuticals oncology products include Aredia* (pamidronate
disodium for injection) for the treatment of osteolytic bone metastases
in patients with multiple myeloma or breast cancer, hypercalcemia of
malignancy, and Paget's disease; Femara* (letrozole tablets) for the treatment
of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression
following antiestrogen therapy; Sandostatin* (octreotide acetate) for control
of symptoms in patients with metastatic carcinoid and vasoactive intestinal
TM
TM
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LEXIS:NEXIS'
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A member of the Reed Elsevier pic group
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
Page 4
PR Newswire, May 8, 1998
peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas), and for the treatment of acromegaly; and
Sandoglobulin* (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) IGIV for the maintenance
therapy for primary immunodeficiency syndromes and for the treatment of immune
thrombocytopenia purpura. The company also has several oncology compounds in
development, including a gene therapy for glioblastoma (a type of brain
tumor)
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufacturers
and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number
of diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ
transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases,
respiratory disorders, cancer and arthritis. The company's mission is
to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.
Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, is an
affiliate of the Novartis Group, a world leader in Life Sciences with
core business in Healthcare, Agribusiness and Nutrition. In 1997, Novartis
Group sales were 31.2 billion Swiss francs (U.S. $21.7 billion), of which 18.8
billion (U.S. $13.1 billion) were in Healthcare, 8.3 billion
(U.S. $5.8 billion) in Agribusiness and 4.1 billion (U.S. $2.8 billion) in
Nutrition. The company annually invests more than 3 billion Swiss francs
(U.S. $2.1 billion) in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis
employs about 87,000 people and operates in over 100 countries around the
world.
SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
CONTACT: Gloria C. Stone of Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Corporation, 973-781-5587
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: May 9, 1998
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Page 5
LEVEL 1 - 12 OF 85 STORIES
Copyright 1998 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Capital Times (Madison, WI.)
January 29, 1998, Thursday, ALL EDITIONS
SECTION: Savvy, Pg. 1F
LENGTH: 2846 words
HEADLINE: OVARIAN CANCER; IT'S VERY HARD TO DETECT, BUT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE
BYLINE: By Debra Carr-Elsing The Capital Times
BODY:
What should have been a routine hysterectomy for Barbara Nichols in 1995
turned out to be surgery for ovarian cancer. That's when the medical odyssey
began for Nichols, an attorney with the state Department of Health and Family
Services.
'At the time, I was even told the hysterectomy was optional, and I almost
didn't have the surgery, Nichols recalls, "but thank goodness I did because
what they thought were fibroids actually turned out to be a malignancy.
Six rounds of chemotherapy followed surgery. After the third treatment,
Nichols lost her hair. She also contracted hepatitis C while her immune system
was suppressed.
'So when I finished my chemo -- and after a few months' rest -- I started
six months of interferon injections for the hepatitis, says Nichols, who lives
in Madison with her husband, Donald.
'Fortunately, my hepatitis was caught very early, Nichols adds, 'and the
interferon injections worked.
The saga, however, continued. In 1996, there was a recurrence of the ovarian
cancer, more surgery and 6+ weeks of radiation treatment.
''I've been cancer-free now for 14 months, " Nichols says. ''So far, so good.
But I can't exhale until I'm clear of cancer for two years, which will be in
October.
'With ovarian cancer -- which is very fast-growing -- if you're clear for
two years, you're probably going to make it.
Nichols is not alone; 27,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with
ovarian cancer each year In fact, a woman' S risk over her lifetime of being
di agnosed with ovarian cancer is in 55, according to the National Institutes
of Health
From 1985 to 1995, the NIH reported a 30 percent increase in cases of ovarian
cancer In 1995 14 500 women died from the disease, an increase of 18 percent
from 1985 By 1997 that number had grown to 17, 000 deaths per year
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Capital Times (Madison, WI.), January 29, 1998
Contributing to these statistics is the fact that the population is
increasing, and the population-at-risk is increasing. Plus, three-fourths of
ovarian cancer patients have advanced disease by the time the cancer is
detected.
The problem with ovarian cancer is that it doesn't appear on the tip of
your nose where it would be obvious, says Dr. Peter Beatty, a medical
oncologist with Physicians Plus Medical Group.
'Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is buried deep inside a woman's body, and
it's silent, Beatty adds.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer including nausea, bloating and abdominal pain
also are vague and nonspecific. They easily mimic other types of common
gastrointestinal problems, for example.
Another key factor that prevents ovarian cancer from being detected early in
its development is that unlike mammograms for breast cancer, there is no
standard screening test for ovarian cancer that's recommended for the general
population.
So women need to be very alert and attuned to their own bodies, cautions
Nichols, who was 50 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1995.
If they notice anything in particular that might be wrong -- or if they're
not comfortable with what they're feeling then they need to see a doctor
immediately
A family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer is one of the main risk
factors of, this vicious disease, which ranks second in incidence among
gynecologica cancers Uterine cancer is first with about 45,000 diagnosed cases
each year in the United States.
BRCA1 the gene for breast and ovarian cancer that's been identified on
the 17th chromosome continues to be an exciting and critically important
component of ovarian cancer, says Dr. Julian Schink, director of gynecologic
oncology at University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics.
BRCA1 provides us with an important model for how ovarian cancer might
start, Schink explains, 'even though only 6 to 10 percent of ovarian cancer
patients have this inherited syndrome.
A blood test has been developed, making it possible to test women for BRCA1
abnormalities. It's a procedure that's typically used for women with a family
history of either breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
Women with an abnormal BRCA1 gene have an 85 percent chance of getting
breast cancer in their lifetime and a 50 to 60 percent chance of getting ovarian
cancer, Schink explains.
Unfortunately, there's no magic bullet to lower that risk once it is known
that a woman has the abnormal BRCA1 gene. It's even unclear how much protection
is provided by removing the ovaries.
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Capital Times (Madison, WI.), January 29, 1998
'That's a fairly drastic intervention, but removing the ovaries does lower a
woman's risk we just don't know exactly how far, Schink says.
Oral contraceptives have been shown to be protective, too. In fact, if you
use birth control pills for more than 10 years, you can lower your risk for
developing ovarian cancer by one-third.
'There's a huge amount of research looking into techniques for early
detection of ovarian cancer, says Schink, who also is an associate professor
and vice chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at the UW.
'That research has ranged from sophisticated ultrasound studies to blood
tests to genetic markers, Schink adds, 'and the potential success lies in
identifying a genetic marker that says who's at risk.
'That's why BRCA1 is so important. It is our best example of a genetic
abnormality that puts women at risk. There are undoubtedly others that we
haven't identified yet.
Genetic counseling for women with family histories of breast cancer or
ovarian cancer is offered at the UW, which treats more ovarian cancer patients
than any other medical facility in Wisconsin.
'Many of the women we identify as having a significant risk for having an
abnormal BRCA1 gene still don't want to be tested because they're afraid of some
form of genetic discrimination, which is a sad commentary on our society,
Schink says. There are some tough social issues involved here.
It's very clear that BRCA1 testing can lead to life insurance discrimination,
warns Beatty.
When this test is done, it's on the record, Beatty explains, ' 'and
although it's against the law to discriminate for health insurance, it's legal
for people to get turned down for life insurance.
This isn't right, of course, but when people get the BRCA1 test, they're
putting themselves up for potential discrimination when it comes to life
insurance.
The good news, however, is that women with ovarian cancer benefit from
treatment, which typically includes surgery to remove the tumor, followed by
chemotherapy. Radiation is another option.
'There are a lot of diseases where there's not much we can do for some
people, but that's not true of this disease, " Beatty says.
Ovarian cancer survivors are around today, and others are living with their
disease leading productive lives because of treatment.
Unfortunately, some women are terrified of the side effects of chemotherapy,
for example, and they shy away from treatment.
Similarly, some ovarian cancer patients are reluctant to participate in
clinical research 'and that's unfortunate, too, Beatty says, 'because the
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Page 8
Capital Times (Madison, WI.), January 29, 1998
only reason we know anything about ovarian cancer today is because of previous
trials, which have been ethical and well designed.
The bottom line is that significant progress has been made in the last 20
years in the treatment of ovarian cancer, says Schink.
'We have made that progress by doing many little things better, Schink
explains.
'We don't have a magic bullet. We haven't suddenly discovered the perfect
chemotherapy. Rather, our surgical techniques are better, post-operative care of
the patient is better and management of chemotherapy's side effects is better.
''If the cancer returns, the options we have to offer that patient have
improved, too.
Overall survival as well as the life expectancy for ovarian cancer
patients has improved, Schink adds, but it means doing a whole bunch of things
right.
That seems to be what has happened with Nichols. Getting to this point,
however, hasn't been easy.
To stay strong, I kept focusing on everything that I still had in life
rather than on what I had lost, Nichols explains.
For anyone going through any kind of turmoil, it's a good idea to focus on
what's remaining and not what's gone.
Every cancer patient also takes an emotional roller coaster ride that can be
very frightening, she says.
There's good medical news on some days like 'the CT scan is clear'
and you're on top of the world, Nichols explains.
Then the next day, a test result comes in that's bad news and the roller
coaster plummets.
To provide their family with some balance, Nichols and her husband would
consider the implications of each medical test result in the context of that
particular day, realizing that another day would provide them with more
information.
'It's been helpful to think about how this disease is affecting my husband
and four children as well, Nichols says.
'When my focus was directed outward instead of only focusing inward on
myself, I began to realize that I was making decisions. I was in control over my
own emotions.
While I didn't have much control over the cancer, I found that I had
enormous control over how I reacted to it.
Nichols also made the decision to be grateful and excited with each new day.
There's no time even if she lives to be 100 -- to waste on crying.
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Capital Times (Madison, WI.), January 29, 1998
I 'Laughing is a lot more fun, I she adds, 'so I'm going to enjoy every day
that I have and be happy for it. ,
,
GRAPHIC: RICH RYGH/THE CAPITAL TIMES
X-rays, ultrasound and CT-scans are helpful tools in choosing the right
treatment for ovarian cancer, says Dr. Julian Schink, director of gynecological
oncology at University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics. DAVID SANDELL/THE
CAPITAL TIMES
Dr. Peter Beatty, a medical oncologist with Physicians Plus, checks the
results of the latest blood tests of Barbara Nichols, who was diagnosed with
ovarian cancer in 1995.
LOAD-DATE: January 30, 1998
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LEXIS:NEXIS®
LEXIS:NEXIS®
LEXIS:NEXIS®
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
A member of the Reed Elsevier plc group
BAZAAR
STEPHANIE ALBERTSON
Executive Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief
'98 JUL 13PM1:31
Phil,
July 7, 1998
As you can see, they
now want September
Ms. Jennifer Klein
The White House
again. Can we get
Office of First Lady Correspondence
Suite 200, East Wing
away with a welk or
Washington, DC 20500
JUST a day ?
Dear Jennifer:
I am sorry it's taken me a few days to g
Jen
11 of
the details in hand before sending the enclosed materials to you.
I have spoken again with Liz Tilberis, V
September declared National Ovarian C
den-
7/14
naller,
grass roots ovarian cancer organization:
who
have un-officially made this declaration
were to change the month to March. He
& think me should
she
ould
be officially declared, as opposed to a d.
d
create a large scale awareness of the dis
do a week at the
er
awareness.
As you requested, I have enclosed the o
naming March as the official month for
most.
i,
free to use it as a reference.
Phil
se feel
If you have any further questions, pleas Dan Bukhardt-
forward to hearing from you soon.
Do you know where we
With best wishes,
stand on this?
Phil
Stephanie Albertson
1700 Broadway. New York. NY 10019 Tel: (212) 903-5461 Fax. (212) 757-6701 E-Mail: [email protected]
HARPER'S BAZAAR IS A PUBLICATION OF HEARST MAGAZINES. 1 UNIT OF THE HEARST CORPORATION
BAZAAR
STEPHANIE ALBERTSON
Executive Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief
'98 JUL 13PM1:31
July 7, 1998
Ms. Jennifer Klein
The White House
Office of First Lady Correspondence
Suite 200, East Wing
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Jennifer:
I am sorry it's taken me a few days to get this information to you. I wanted to have all of
the details in hand before sending the enclosed materials to you.
I have spoken again with Liz Tilberis, who would like very much to pursue having
September declared National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. There are several smaller,
grass roots ovarian cancer organizations who have been working on this effort, and who
have un-officially made this declaration. Liz feels it would undermine their efforts if she
were to change the month to March. Her hope is that the entire month of September could
be officially declared, as opposed to a day or a week, as it will maximize its impact and
create a large scale awareness of the disease, just as October has done for breast cancer
awareness.
As you requested, I have enclosed the official declaration from the State of New York,
naming March as the official month for ovarian cancer awareness in New York. Please feel
free to use it as a reference.
If you have any further questions, please call me anytime at (212) 903-5461. I look
forward to hearing from you soon.
With best wishes,
1700 Broadway, New York. NY 10019 Tel: (212) 903-5461 Fax: (212) 757-6701 E-Mail: [email protected]
HARPER'S BAZAAR IS A PUBLICATION OF HEARST MAGAZINES, UNIT OF THE HEARST CORPORATION
BAZAAR
STEPHANIE ALBERTSON
Executive Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief
Sent to Phil
July 7, 1998
Ms. Jennifer Klein
The White House
Office of First Lady Correspondence
Suite 200, East Wing
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Jennifer:
I am sorry it's taken me a few days to get this information to you. I wanted to have all of
the details in hand before sending the enclosed materials to you.
I have spoken again with Liz Tilberis, who would like very much to pursue having
September declared National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. There are several smaller,
grass roots ovarian cancer organizations who have been working on this effort, and who
have un-officially made this declaration. Liz feels it would undermine their efforts if she
were to change the month to March. Her hope is that the entire month of September could
be officially declared, as opposed to a day or a week, as it will maximize its impact and
create a large scale awareness of the disease, just as October has done for breast cancer
awareness.
As you requested, I have enclosed the official declaration from the State of New York,
naming March as the official month for ovarian cancer awareness in New York. Please feel
free to use it as a reference.
If you have any further questions, please call me anytime at (212) 903-5461. I look
forward to hearing from you soon.
With best wishes,
1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 Tel: (212) 903-5461 Fax: (212) 757-6701 E-Mail: [email protected]
HARPER'S BAZAAR IS A PUBLICATION OF HEARST MAGAZINES, A UNIT OF THE HEARST CORPORATION