S1Ep3 Biomarkers and CRC

03/15/24 • 18 min

Welcome to the third episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC on biomarkers.

I am joined again by CRC patient advocate and friend Annie Delores, whose information can be found here or through the podcast's website.

In today's episode, we talk about the basics and importance of biomarkers and colorectal cancer.

Full transcription can be found on the website.

Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Guest: Annie Delores

And all the thanks and hugs in the world to Kristine. I can never tell you often enough how incredible you are.

Please remember to share, subscribe, like, and rate the podcast.

Helpful links related to this episode:

Biomarker page from Fight CRC
Colorectal Cancer Alliance's biomarker info site
Colontown University's "What are Biomarkers"
(01:30) - Very basics of biomarkers
(02:43) - HER2 (ERBB2) mutation
(03:12) - Background on CRC
(04:09) - Main CRC biomarkers
(05:36) - Where to find the biomarkers
(06:45) - MSI - Microsatellite Instability
(08:09) - BRAF mutation
(08:41) - First line clinical trials based on biomarkers
(10:09) - KRAS and Stage 4
(10:56) - Targeted treatments
(12:17) - It can take time to understand biomarkers
(14:05) - NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) reports
(14:41) - Inherited mutations
(15:12) - Biomarker testing as a standard

Welcome to the third episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC on biomarkers.

I am joined again by CRC patient advocate and friend Annie Delores, whose information can be found here or through the podcast's website.

In today's episode, we talk about the basics and importance of biomarkers and colorectal cancer.

Full transcription can be found on the website.

Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Guest: Annie Delores

And all the thanks and hugs in the world to Kristine. I can never tell you often enough how incredible you are.

Please remember to share, subscribe, like, and rate the podcast.

Helpful links related to this episode:

Biomarker page from Fight CRC
Colorectal Cancer Alliance's biomarker info site
Colontown University's "What are Biomarkers"
(01:30) - Very basics of biomarkers
(02:43) - HER2 (ERBB2) mutation
(03:12) - Background on CRC
(04:09) - Main CRC biomarkers
(05:36) - Where to find the biomarkers
(06:45) - MSI - Microsatellite Instability
(08:09) - BRAF mutation
(08:41) - First line clinical trials based on biomarkers
(10:09) - KRAS and Stage 4
(10:56) - Targeted treatments
(12:17) - It can take time to understand biomarkers
(14:05) - NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) reports
(14:41) - Inherited mutations
(15:12) - Biomarker testing as a standard

Previous Episode

S1Ep2 Chemo and CRC

Welcome to the second episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC.

In today's episode, we'll look at my wife Kristine's first line chemo (FOLFOXIRI) for colorectal cancer as I trace some of the earlier steps of her stage 4 colorectal cancer journey and what it is like for a stage 4 care partner. Chemo is important in stage 4, as it gives the best chance to get to a procedure with curative intent. Second (and third, fourth, etc.) opinions are also incredibly important.

Full transcription can be found on the website.

Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford

Helpful links related to this episode:

colontown.org - While it took me a few months to find Colontown, I have found it very helpful as a place to learn and share science and medical-based information on CRC. It is also helpful to be able to chat with others who have similar experiences - for patients and care partners.
https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/ - Fight CRC is a very helpful organization with many resources for CRC patients, care partners, and patient advocates
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html - American Cancer Society
(01:38) - Typical chemo day
(03:32) - Bloodwork check-in
(04:14) - Dancing during chemo
(04:52) - Icing for Oxaliplatin
(08:19) - Removing the chemo (5FU)
(10:54) - Chemo as a way to hopefully get to surgery
(12:15) - Trying to understand if chemo is working
(14:55) - Importance of having surgeons on board/second opinions
(16:26) - Chemo side effects

Next Episode

S1Ep4 The Pivot (Part 1)

Welcome to the fourth episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC on The Pivot (part 1).

Having backup plans, and being able to pivot quickly is essential, especially with a stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis.

In this episode, I talk about the need to pivot, what that entails, and some tips not just for care partners, but for friends and family. (Spoiler alert: Be there to listen and also do fun things)

Full transcription can be found on the website (http://carepartnerscompass.transistor.fm)

Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford

And all the thanks and hugs in the world to Kristine. You are amazing.

Please remember to share, subscribe, like, and rate the podcast.

Helpful links related to this episode:

Colontown - they have great groups for liver mets and other metastasis locations, clinical trials, for CRC care partners and patients per geographical area, and some separate groups just for care partners, and just for patients. Very science-oriented.
Fight CRC's Community of Champions - stories, Q&A, community, and resources for CRC patients and care partners.
What's Next - Kristine's Spotify playlist for the first pivot. She creates a new playlist for each new part of this cancer journey.
(01:40) - Confusion when entering CancerLand
(02:47) - Thinking about backup plans, before you need them
(03:52) - Ways to try to monitor CRC
(05:32) - Reasons to pivot
(05:56) - Keeping different timeframes in mind
(07:13) - Hard to plan during a pivot, but hopefully friends and family can help and not create more stress
(08:42) - Having your own care circle, like #TeamKristine, which may change over time
(09:43) - Finding comfort in researching
(11:18) - Finding the place between optimism and reality
(12:06) - What do you need to do as a care partner during a pivot
(13:00) - Our first pivot