Lucky, that is how Browns Plains mum Candice Argent describes herself.
The mother-of-two was given a shock cancer diagnosis last year, after an unexpected discovery during testing for coeliac disease.
“It was very scary and daunting,” said Ms Argent
“We were going down the path of a coeliac diagnosis because of low iron and then next thing I know I’m being told I have colon and lung cancer.”
A colonoscopy picked up the cancerous tumour in the 40-year-olds colon, while further scanning uncovered a secondary spot on her lung.
“My mind naturally went to my kids and how do they live a life without me,” said Ms Argent.
“Never in a million years did I think I would be in this situation.”
But through all the uncertainty there was a glimmer of hope.
Ms Argent met with Mater oncologist, Dr Haakan Jakobsson, and within two weeks of the visit she was starting treatment.
“Everything moved so quick – I didn’t have time to wallow,” said Ms Argent.
“He had a plan of attack and was like ok let’s go.
“In a really scary moment there was hope and I just felt so lucky.”
Dr Jakobsson applied for compassionate access to a new dual treatment by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). The immunotherapy approach involves the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab, typically costing patients tens of thousands of dollars per treatment.
“Candice was one of the first patients in Australia to be given access to the dual treatment on compassionate grounds,” said Dr Jakobsson.
“The reality in Australia is that often we know there are treatment options likely to produce better outcomes than our standard of care treatments, but access is limited - immunotherapy is a very expensive therapy.
“Prognosis for the single agent standard treatment we had available was about six and a half years, chemotherapy would be around three years average survival.
“Without access on compassionate grounds we would’ve been waiting a number of months to get our hands on it – we were very fortunate.”
Typically, immunotherapy can be slower to produce results in comparison to chemotherapy. So far, response rates have been almost twice as high with double therapy options. Within nine months, all signs of Ms Argent’s cancer have disappeared.
“By the first scan, it hadn’t got any worse and by the second there were clear signs it was responding well,” said Ms Argent.
“I have continued to work and live my life through my monthly treatments – I feel amazing!
“Nothing is certain with any treatment, but this gives everyone a chance.
“It’s been lifechanging and without the approval I don’t know where I would be.”
The dual therapy has recently been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) providing further access and hope to thousands more Australians who previously faced a challenging treatment landscape and generally poor prognosis.
“The results speak for themselves,” said Dr Jakobsson
“I would expect a third of patients to have a complete response to this treatment – it’s certainly made me a lot more comfortable to offer this to patients and it’s probably the new standard of care I’d offer – it’s been a brilliant result.
“With any treatment it’s about picking the right option for the patient in front of you, and we made the right choice for Candice.”
Ms Argent is still receiving monthly treatment but counts herself as one of the lucky ones as she focuses on recovery.
“You still hold your breath every scan, every blood test,” said Ms Argent.
“But providing access to patients who otherwise had no hope really is amazing.”
