‘Cancer Survivor’ Taking on New Meaning for Patients

February 17, 2016 7:02 pm

The following article is provided by The Clearity Foundation to support women with ovarian cancer and their families. Learn more about The Clearity Foundation and the services we provide directly to women as they make treatment decisions and navigate emotional impacts of their diagnosis.

‘Cancer Survivor’ Taking on New Meaning for Patients

Christine Bray, 36, of Northern Virginia, is happy to call herself a cancer survivor. Six years ago, at 30, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since then, she’s been through myriad treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She’s seen her cancer apparently resolve only to spread beyond her ovaries to her liver and lymph nodes. At one point, her survival goal was just living to spend another day with her husband and their two little girls. ​

Bray’s search eventually took her to the Eastern Regional Medical Center in Philadelphia, part of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, or CTCA, where she underwent more treatment including a new chemotherapy regimen. During treatment, she worked with a host of care providers, from a nutrition specialist to a massage therapist, to help manage side effects.

Bray also had advanced genomic testing done, which identified a targeted therapy for the tumor’s gene mutation. She was given a drug called everolimus, which she continues to take. Since then, the cancer has not recurred. Now Bray returns for checkups alone.

To read this entire article by U.S. News & World Report Health on The Clearity Portal, click here.

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