Candy Woodworth knows shes won the lottery.
In the past five years, shes seen a daughter get married and celebrate the births of two grandchildren.
But for a while, whether the West Vancouver grandmother would be around to mark those milestones was far from certain.
Six years ago, Woodworth was a busy 65-year-old, looking after her first grandchild while her daughters took care of the family business.
It was during a Pilates class when she was lying on her stomach that she first noticed something odd an uncomfortable feeling in her lower abdomen. Woodworth didnt think much of it, but when she felt it again at next weeks class, she made an appointment to see her doctor, who sent her for an ultrasound.
When she got back home, the phone was ringing before she even had her coat off, telling her to come to her doctors office right away.
There she got the news that she had ovarian cancer.
According to the BC Cancer Agency, over 300 women in B.C. will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. Its not nearly as common as breast cancer women have about a one in 70 lifetime chance of getting ovarian cancer but the prognosis can be far more serious.
You just dont feel anything, said Woodworth. Thats the difficult thing with ovarian cancer.
Because there is no way to screen for ovarian cancer, and the disease is usually without symptoms until at an advanced stage, effective treatment is often a challenge.
We have treatments that are very likely to cause the cancer to regress and improve but theres a very high risk of recurrence, said Dr. Anna Tinker, a medical oncologist at BC Cancer who is one of the leading experts in gynecological cancers and who worked on Woodworths case.
Woodworth knew she was facing a serious diagnosis. So she did some research and was referred to the expert team that specializes in gynecological cancer at Vancouver General Hospital, headed by Dr. Dianne Miller.
Woodworth had surgery to remove the tumour from her abdomen, which was confirmed as a high-grade Stage 3 aggressive cancer.
But her journey was only just beginning.
For the next four and a half months, Woodworth had 18 rounds of chemotherapy. After my third week I literally crawled on my hands and knees into the chemo clinic, she said. I was literally throwing up as I was sitting in the chair.
She credits her support team of her husband and three daughters for getting her through it. And the chemotherapy worked at first.
But 18 months later, the cancer was back, with a tumour on her colon. She had another surgery.
Throughout the process, My attitude was always Lets get in there. Lets get the job done, she said.
When the tumour returned again in the same place, six months later, Woodworths doctors signed her up for an experimental research program, the Personalized Onco-Genomics program, run by a team of doctors and researchers at the BC Cancer Agency.
The program which is usually only open to patients after standard treatments have been tried takes a novel approach to cancer, looking for genetic mutations in a patients tumour for clues to whats causing the cancer to grow, and with that, a possible treatment.
In Woodworths case, the analysis showed her tumour had a signature similar to that seen when a BCRA gene mutation is present more usually associated with some types of breast cancer, said Tinker.
In early 2017 Woodworths results were matched with an experimental drug, Olaprib Lynparza.
In Woodworths case, the drug worked. Shes now been on it for two and a half years with no side effects and no recurrence in her cancer.
The 12 capsules she takes every day down from the number she started on have literally saved her life.
Im so grateful for every day, said Woodworth. I dont think the public realizes the scientists we have here in Vancouver.
Woodworth is among the more dramatic success stories to come out of the personalized genomic research project, falling into a small group of super responder patients.
Others include a Langley woman whose metastatic breast cancer was beaten back by a drug commonly used to treat diabetes, in addition to hormone treatment.
Another Metro Vancouver woman was saved when scientists discovered her advanced colon cancer had a protein that responded to blood pressure medication.
Since the program started in 2012, 1,136 patients, including 123 children, have been enrolled in the program.
Patients who take part need to understand the process is experimental, said Tinker. While helpful new information is gleaned in about 80 per cent of cases, the result is not always as dramatic as it was in Woodworths case and not all cancer patients are helped by the genome analysis.
In some patients, no helpful mutations are discovered that can be used as clues to treatment and in some cases, no drugs are a match.
Cancer patients start new treatments as a result of their genome results about 40 per cent of the time.
Ideally, patients who are matched with treatments can be enrolled in clinical trials that make expensive drugs available to them free of charge, said Tinker.
But thats not the always the case.
Woodworth knows shes lucky. I knew what I was up against, she said, but she remained stubbornly optimistic, describing herself as a glass half full kind of person.
These days, Woodworth who recently celebrated her 70th birthday takes delight in spending time with her grandkids.
I cant let a day go by without stopping by for a quick hug, she said. I dont stay around and clean my house. I get out there.
I dont take anything for granted. Thats the one thing you take away when you feel that mortality. You have to live every day the best that you can.
She hopes stories like hers will lead to money for research that will benefit other cancer patients.
The research at the Personalized Onco-Genome program is funded by approximately $22.7 million from the BC Cancer Foundation, largely raised through philanthropic donations, as well as by research grants, particularly through the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
Hopefully theyll find more [information on how cancers behave], and more people will survive, said Woodworth. Thats what I want for everyone. There is hope out there.
To find out how to donate to the research funded by the BC Cancer Foundation, including the Personalized Onco-Genomics program, click here.
To find out how to donate to the VGH/UBC Hospital Foundation, which benefits programs including the Ovcare research team examining gynecological cancers, click here
To view a CBC Nature of Things documentary on the Personalized Onco-Genomics program, which aired on the network in February 2017, click here
Originally posted here:
Genome research gave life back to this West Vancouver cancer survivor - Vancouver Is Awesome
- The complete plastome sequences of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus: genome organization, evolutionary ... - Nature.com - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Multi-omic profiling reveals associations between the gut microbiome, host genome and transcriptome in patients with ... - Journal of Translational... - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - National Human Genome Research Institute - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Genomic Time Machine Reveals Secrets of Human DNA - SciTechDaily - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- 1 Million Unannotated Exons Discovered in the Human Genome - Technology Networks - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Hope for the night parrot: bird's full genome has been sequenced - Cosmos - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- RevIT AAV Enhancer: Rev-up AAV genome production in upstream manufacturing - BioProcess Insider - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Multi-omics resources for the Australian southern stuttering frog (Mixophyes australis) reveal assorted antimicrobial ... - Nature.com - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Large-scale gene expression alterations introduced by structural variation drive morphotype diversification in Brassica ... - Nature.com - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Near-gapless and haplotype-resolved apple genomes provide insights into the genetic basis of rootstock-induced ... - Nature.com - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Secrets of Night Parrot unlocked after first genome sequenced - CSIRO - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- CRISPR gene editing tool gets a revolutionary high-tech upgrade - Earth.com - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Ancient retroviruses played a key role in the evolution of vertebrate brains - EurekAlert - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Natural selection and genetic diversity maintenance in a parasitic wasp during continuous biological control application - Nature.com - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- Hopes elusive parrots genome will provide answers - news.com.au - February 18th, 2024 [February 18th, 2024]
- MicroRNA is the master regulator of the genome researchers are learning how to treat disease by harnessing the ... - The Conversation - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- "Ground-Breaking" Release of World's Largest Whole Genome Resource - Inside Precision Medicine - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Pangenome analysis reveals genomic variations associated with domestication traits in broomcorn millet - Nature.com - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Global genetic diversity, introgression, and evolutionary adaptation of indicine cattle revealed by whole genome ... - Nature.com - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Genome characteristics of atypical porcine pestivirus from abortion cases in Shandong Province, China - Virology Journal - Virology Journal - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Correcting modification-mediated errors in nanopore sequencing by nucleotide demodification and reference-based ... - Nature.com - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- CRISPR-Based "Genome Shredding" Technique Shows Promise in Treating Glioblastoma - Inside Precision Medicine - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Genome wide analysis revealed conserved domains involved in the effector discrimination of bacterial type VI secretion ... - Nature.com - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- TRISH to investigate the effects of spaceflight on the human genome, central nervous system - Odessa American - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- The venom preceded the stinger: Genomic studies shed light on the origins of bee venom - EurekAlert - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Integrating genomic and multiomic data for Angelica sinensis provides insights into the evolution and biosynthesis of ... - Nature.com - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Genetic diversity and ancestry of the Khmuic-speaking ethnic groups ... - Nature.com - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Researchers to Apply Genome Analysis to Childhood Cancers; Goal ... - The Japan News - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- How Bats' Genomes May Help Them Avoid Cancer and Survive ... - Technology Networks - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Longitudinal genomic surveillance of carriage and transmission of ... - Nature.com - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Whole genomes from bacteria collected at diagnostic units around ... - Nature.com - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Genome-wide identification of lncRNA & mRNA for T2DM | PGPM - Dove Medical Press - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Tasmanian tiger RNA is first to be recovered from an extinct animal - Nature.com - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Loneliness and depression: bidirectional mendelian randomization ... - Nature.com - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Rome Therapeutics adds $72 million to Series B round to harness ... - OutSourcing-Pharma.com - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Mystery of 'living fossil' tree frozen in time for 66 million years finally ... - Livescience.com - September 21st, 2023 [September 21st, 2023]
- Why the human genome could be healthcares holy grail - Yahoo Finance - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Scientists Compare Genomes of 240 Mammals to Understand Human DNA - The New York Times - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Genomes From 240 Mammalian Species Help Explain 100 Years Of Evolution And Human Disease - ABP Live - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- 'Deletions' from the human genome may be what made us human - Yale News - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- GeneDx Adds Buccal Swab as Non-Invasive Whole Genome ... - GlobeNewswire - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Whole-genome sequencing used to track down genes behind familial glioma - Medical Xpress - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Wiggly proteins guard the genome: Dynamic network in the pores of ... - Science Daily - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Genome-Wide Splicing Quantitative Expression Locus Analysis ... - Cancer Discovery - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Digital Genome Market is expand at a CAGR of 8.6% to reach USD ... - Digital Journal - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- High School Students Learn the Basics of Base Editing to Cure GFP ... - University of California San Diego - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Genomic researchers gain access to CSIRO's AI-powered data ... - Microsoft - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Archaic hominin traits through the splicing lens - Nature.com - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Critical bug in genome sequencing device scores '10' on CVSS ratings - SC Media - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Novel Genomic Approach Ensures Better Diagnosis of Hereditary ... - Technology Networks - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Intellia Therapeutics: Leading the Way in Revolutionary Genome ... - Best Stocks - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Visual tracking of viral infection dynamics reveals the synergistic ... - Nature.com - May 4th, 2023 [May 4th, 2023]
- Genome | Genome LLC | United States - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- Belarus: EU and WHO deliver equipment for research of genomes of infectious disease agents - EIN News - February 24th, 2023 [February 24th, 2023]
- Gene vs. genome: Definition, function, and impact - January 30th, 2023 [January 30th, 2023]
- Big cog in the wheel: As Covid worries reappear, Insacogs genome sequencing ability must be aided by govts - Times of India - December 25th, 2022 [December 25th, 2022]
- CapitalGainsReport Sector Spotlight: Healthcare Penny Stocks On The Move (ARDX, WHSI, BNGO) - Marketscreener.com - November 25th, 2022 [November 25th, 2022]
- Genome Insight and Kun-hee Lee Child Cancer & Rare Disease Project Team of SNUH (Seoul National University Hospital) Made an Agreement About a... - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Genome-wide association study reveals distinct genetic associations related to leaf hair density in two lineages of wheat-wild relative Aegilops... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- The Global Genomics Market to Exhibit Growth at a CAGR of 16.90% During the Forecast Period (20222027) | DelveInsight - Yahoo Finance - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Illumina and GenoScreen Partner to Expand Access to Genomic Testing for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis - PR Newswire - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Superresolution Method Poised to Better Gene Function Understanding - Photonics.com - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Genome-centric analysis of short and long read metagenomes reveals uncharacterized microbiome diversity in Southeast Asians - Nature.com - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- How a New Battery Data Genome Project Will Use Vast Amounts of Information to Build Better EVs - InsideClimate News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Scientists Reconstruct the Genome of the 180-Million-Year-Old Common Ancestor of All Mammals - SciTechDaily - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Combining OSMAC, metabolomic and genomic methods for the production and annotation of halogenated azaphilones and ilicicolins in termite symbiotic... - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Concerted expansion and contraction of immune receptor gene repertoires in plant genomes - Nature.com - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Uncovering the Full Variant Continuum with Pioneering Solutions from Bionano - Inside Precision Medicine - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Metagenomic analysis of viromes in tissues of wild Qinghai vole from the eastern Tibetan Plateau | Scientific Reports - Nature.com - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Research Assistant in Molecular and Genome Editing Therapeutics job with KINGS COLLEGE LONDON | 311876 - Times Higher Education - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Lessons learnt from COVID-19 shed light on future pandemic preparedness - The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- From Neanderthal genome to Nobel prize: meet geneticist Svante Pbo - Nature.com - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Revealing the genome organization of the earliest common ancestor of all mammals - Tech Explorist - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Mitochondrial DNA Is Working Its Way Into the Human Genome - Technology Networks - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Animated Map: Where to Find Water on Mars - Visual Capitalist - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Reconstruction of The First Mammal's Genome Suggests It Had 38 Chromosomes - ScienceAlert - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Genomic Science Breakthroughs Are Happening Faster Than Ever Thanks to HPC - CIO - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Genome Of Ancient Humans Is The Winning Field Of 2022's Nobel Prize in Medicine - IFLScience - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- ASU professor to study new genome editing tools with NIH Innovator Award - ASU News Now - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- New R&D norms to fast-track research on genome-edited crops - The Financial Express - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]