Ovarian Cancer: Faye's Patient Story
This ovarian cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy and a clinical trial
- Outcome
- Responding Well
Treatment course, step by step
- Faye began chemotherapy in March 2021.
- After several rounds of chemotherapy, she had surgery.
- She then joined a phase I clinical trial of trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) plus olaparib (Lynparza), which was ongoing at the latest report.
What happened, in summary
While finishing radiation for an earlier breast cancer, Faye Belvin developed pain in her side. A blood test at a routine oncology visit raised concern, and follow-up scans and biopsies led to a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in February 2021.
Faye began chemotherapy the following month. After several rounds, she had surgery and then decided to join a phase I clinical trial recommended by her oncologist. The trial combined trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) with olaparib (Lynparza). Her first treatment was difficult, but the care team adjusted her treatment and she found it easier afterward. Nausea remained her most common side effect.
At the latest report, Faye was still receiving the trial combination and said it was working. She described herself as living healthily and feeling better than she had in the previous 2 years. Her sisters remained closely involved, helping with transportation and appointments, while her faith helped her manage the uncertainty of two cancer diagnoses. The experience also strengthened her belief in clinical trials and her interest in patient advocacy.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by AACR. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer