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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NewsUSA) - As millions of people gathered around their television sets across the nation on September 11, 2001, to watch the breaking news, computer science expert Banu Ozden, Ph.D., was receiving life-changing news of a different kind. At just 35 years of age, she heard what no woman ever wants to hear -; she had breast cancer. Little did she know that instead of being a tragedy, this grim news would lead her down a prosperous new path.
After her diagnosis, Ozden immediately began aggressive treatment in New York. As her treatment continued, she grew overwhelmed by the insurance paperwork that flooded her mailbox.
Filled with incomprehensible symbols and numbers, the various medical statements were nearly impossible to decipher. Ozden decided to use her background in computer science to overcome the confusion and began to design software to aid in the management of her medical expenses.
At the completion of her treatment, it appeared Ozden was in the clear. Hopeful for a cancer-free future, she was poised to begin a new career at the University of Southern California. After two years of being surrounded by a lifestyle of organic food, yoga and positive thinking, Ozden was the picture of healthy living.
However, while Ozden was on vacation in 2005, the unthinkable happened. Ozden suspected she had broken a bone while windsurfing, but a visit to her physician would, once again, reveal devastating news -; the cancer had returned and had spread to her bones.
Ozden began to search for information on alternative treatments, fearing the worst. "After I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, I was terrified that I would be on cancer drugs, one after another, for the rest of my life. My biggest fear was that my quality of life would diminish because of the effects of chemotherapy. I was more scared of losing my independence than of having a shorter future," Ozden said.
Her oncologist prescribed the oral chemotherapy agent Xeloda. "Because Xeloda is taken orally in tablet form, I realized I could still work because I didn't have to go to the clinic all the time for IV-chemotherapy treatments," Ozden said.
In September 2005, Ozden decided to put her experience with cancer to use for the good of others. She used the software she designed to found a company that offers automated billing services to help track medical expenses and detect errors so patients can concentrate on getting well.
Thanks to Ozden, who is still in treatment and doing well, a new online cancer resource is just a click away. Her company's Web site, http://www.smartmedicalconsumer.com/, was even touted in The Wall Street Journal as "one of [the] many online services popping up to help consumers take a more active role in their medical care."
More information about the oral chemotherapy treatment that enabled Ozden to continue working can be found at Xeloda.com or OralChemoAdvisor.com.
Note to the editor:
Xeloda is the only FDA-approved oral chemotherapy for both metastatic breast cancer and adjuvant and metastatic colorectal cancer. Inactive in pill form, Xeloda is enzymatically activated within the body; when it comes into contact with a naturally occurring protein called thymidine phosphorylase, or TP, Xeloda is transformed into 5-FU, a cytotoxic (cell-killing) drug. Because many cancers have higher levels of TP than does normal tissue, more 5-FU is delivered to the tumor than to other tissue.
A clinically important drug interaction between Xeloda and warfarin has been demonstrated; altered coagulation parameters and/or bleeding and death have been reported. Clinically significant increases in prothrombin time (PT) and INR have been observed within days to months after starting Xeloda, and infrequently within one month of stopping Xeloda. For patients receiving both drugs concomitantly, frequent monitoring of INR or PT is recommended. Age greater than 60 and a diagnosis of cancer independently predispose patients to an increased risk of coagulopathy.
Xeloda is contraindicated in patients who have a known hypersensitivity to 5-fluorouracil, and in patients with known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency. Xeloda is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment. For patients with moderate renal impairment, dose reduction is required
The most common adverse events (? 20%) of Xeloda monotherapy were diarrhea, nausea, stomatitis and hand-foot syndrome. As with any cancer therapy, there is a risk of side effects, and these are usually manageable and reversible with dose modification or interruption.
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