From Uncertainty to Strength: Navigating Life with Cervical Cancer

(BPT) – Sponsored by Pfizer Inc. and Genmab A/SIt never occurred to Courtney that the difficulties she was having with sleeping and breathing could be cancer. Then, she was rushed to the emergency room and a CT scan revealed masses. Courtney, a 44-year-old pharmacy technician from Wilmington, North Carolina, was shocked to be diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer.”It was all just kind of a whirlwind, like, ‘Oh my God. This is really happening,'” said Courtney. “Other than being screened for cervical cancer at my gynecologist, I knew hardly anything about it.”The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2024, there will be 13,820 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed.i These numbers have improved since the mid-1970s due to advancements in vaccination and screening practices but, despite this progress, it’s projected that this year about 4,360 women will die from the disease.i This underscores the need for more treatment options.Following her initial diagnosis, Courtney began a treatment regimen, undergoing a hysterectomy and trying numerous therapies. When she progressed after first-line treatment, she was diagnosed with recurrent cervical cancer. “That was really scary. It was a very hard Thanksgiving that year.”When cervical cancer comes back (recurs) or spreads (metastasizes), treatment options are limited, and survival rates are as low as 19.4%.ii The outlook can feel bleak for patients and their loved ones. That’s why for patients, particularly those like Courtney who are facing a challenging prognosis, having an open discussion with healthcare providers and ensuring full understanding of treatment options is critical. By staying informed and exploring all options, patients can take an active role in their care and overall treatment journey.Courtney recalls taking to the internet, researching potential treatment options in between appointments. “TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) for injection came up, and I wanted to learn everything about it. I was excited to try something else, that could possibly work for me.”After much consideration, Courtney and her medical team chose TIVDAK as her next treatment option. TIVDAK is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with cervical cancer that has returned or has spread to other parts of the body, and who have received chemotherapy that did not work or is no longer working. It is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), which attacks cells that have a special protein, called Tissue Factor. The special protein, Tissue Factor, is also present on some normal cells. So TIVDAK can still harm normal cells, which can cause side effects. In a clinical trial of 502 adult patients with cervical cancer that has returned or spread and who have received chemotherapy that did not or is no longer working, the patients in the TIVDAK group had a median overall survival of 11.5 months, versus 9.5 months for those treated with chemotherapy.Eye problems are common with TIVDAK and can be severe. TIVDAK can cause changes to the surface of your eye that can lead to dry eyes, eye redness, eye irritation, corneal ulcers, blurred vision, and severe vision loss. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop new or worsening vision changes or eye problems during treatment. Serious side effects of TIVDAK may include eye problems, nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy), bleeding problems (hemorrhage), lung problems, and severe skin reactions. These are not all of the side effects of TIVDAK. Please see below for more Important Safety Information and click here for the full Prescribing Information with Medication Guide.”[Since starting TIVDAK], I feel positive. I feel hopeful,” Courtney says. “It was a really great option for me. I’m still on therapy.” While these were Courtney’s experiences at the time of publishing, TIVDAK will not work for everyone, and individual results may vary.Having a support system was crucial for Courtney as she navigated treatment. In addition to feeling bolstered by her healthcare providers, husband, family and work colleagues, Courtney also found support in online patient and caregiver communities.”It’s been amazing the support that comes around you – sometimes from people you didn’t even expect. It’s been surprising and very encouraging. There are people working every day to help people just like me. I’m so thankful for that.”If you or a loved one has previously treated recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, speak with your healthcare provider about whether TIVDAK could be part of your treatment plan.What is TIVDAK?TIVDAK is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with cervical cancer:that has returned or has spread to other parts of the body, andwho have received chemotherapy that did not work or is no longer working.IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONWhat is the most important information I should know about TIVDAK?Eye problems are common with TIVDAK and can be severe. TIVDAK can cause changes to the surface of your eye that can lead to dry eyes, eye redness, eye irritation, corneal ulcers, blurred vision, and severe vision loss. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop new or worsening vision changes or eye problems during treatment.Your healthcare provider will send you to an eye specialist to check your eyes before you start treatment with TIVDAK, before each infusion for your first 9 infusions of TIVDAK, and as needed for any new or worsening signs or symptoms of eye problems. Your healthcare provider will ask if you have any signs or symptoms of eye problems before each infusion. You will be referred to an eye specialist for any new or worsening signs or symptoms of eye problems.Your healthcare provider will prescribe 3 different types of eye drops before you start treatment with TIVDAK. Bring the eye drops with you to each infusion and use them as directed by your healthcare provider to reduce your risk of eye problems:Use 1 drop of steroid eye drops in each eye before each infusion and continue to use your eye drops3 times a day for 3 days after each infusionUse vasoconstrictor eye drops right before each infusionUse lubricating eye drops throughout treatment and for 30 days after your last dose of TIVDAKDo not wear contact lenses throughout your treatment with TIVDAK unless you are told to use them by your eye specialist.What are the possible side effects of TIVDAK?Serious side effects of TIVDAK may include:Eye problems. See “What is the most important information I should know about TIVDAK?”Nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy) are common with TIVDAK and can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening numbness or tingling in your hands or feet or muscle weakness.Bleeding problems (hemorrhage) are common with TIVDAK and can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have signs or symptoms of bleeding during treatment with TIVDAK, including blood in your stools or black stools (looks like tar), blood in your urine, cough up or vomit blood, unusual vaginal bleeding, or any unusual or heavy bleeding.Lung problems. TIVDAK may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms, including trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or cough.Severe skin reactions. TIVDAK may cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have signs or symptoms of a severe skin reaction during treatment with TIVDAK, including:Skin reactions that look like rings (target lesions)Rash or itching that continues to get worseBlistering or peeling of the skinPainful sores or ulcers in your mouth, nose, throat, or genital areaFever or flu-like symptomsSwollen lymph nodesThe most common side effects of TIVDAK include:Decreased red blood cell countsNumbness or tingling in your hands or feetEye problems (conjunctival disorders)NauseaTirednessChanges in liver function blood testsNosebleedHair loss (alopecia)Bleeding (hemorrhage)Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose of TIVDAK, temporarily stop, or completely stop treatment if you have side effects.What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving TIVDAK?Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:have a history of vision or eye problemshave numbness or tingling in your hands or feethave bleeding problemshave liver problemsare pregnant or plan to become pregnant; TIVDAK can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with TIVDAKare breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TIVDAK passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of TIVDAKFemales who can become pregnant:Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with TIVDAKUse an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 2 months after the last dose of TIVDAKMales with female partners who can become pregnant:Use effective birth control during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose of TIVDAKTell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking TIVDAK with certain other medicines may cause side effects.These are not all of the possible side effects of TIVDAK. Discuss side effects with your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.Please see the full Prescribing Information with Medication Guide about TIVDAK including an IMPORTANT WARNING here.The patient featured in this article is receiving or has received TIVDAK. The patient was compensated by Pfizer/Genmab to share their story. These were their experiences at the time they were interviewed. TIVDAK will not work for everyone. Individual results may vary.Courtney was compensated for her participation.Content sponsored and provided by Pfizer and Genmab. Courtney partnered with Pfizer and Genmab to share her experience with recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer.i American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Key statistics for cervical cancer. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html.ii National Cancer Institute SEER Program. “Cervical Cancer Statistics.” seer.cancer.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics/.