Hello Richard, This is an initiative that was recently launched by Novartis. The program provides the opportunity for all CMLers in Canada to have access to quantitative PCR testing with a sensitivity of detecting one cell out of 100,000 cells. QPCR testing or any PCR testing for that matter, wasn't covered by the governments health care program, therefore it was very ad-hoc and relied on each institution in Canada being able to scrounge enough funds together to pay for this important diagnostic tool. The exciting thing is that before Gleevec, rarely were so many CMLers able to achieve major cytogenetic responses let alone CCR's. Therefore there really wasn't such an impetus placed on being able to provide QPCR on a regular basis. Gleevec is changing all that for many of us.
By having as many patients as possible have QPCR testing done in one centralized lab a good amount of data can be accumulated, which we will all benefit from by being able to see quantitative data on so many patients. I would urge all Canadian CMLers to take advantage of this program and speak to your doctor about making sure your data gets entered in the collection. It won't hurt either that your doctor will have results to review with you on a regular basis. I understand this program will last for quite a few years. I was lucky enough to have a meeting with Novartis not too long ago to talk about this program, and I think it is a very good initiative on their part - it's a win/win. And no, I am not being paid to say that ;>)! I'll send you the post I sent out after meeting with them in a separate e-mail Cheers, Cheryl-Anne --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "schempp_richard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This time when I visited my onc., she had me give a blood sample to > be sent to Montreal. Apparantly now they do a QPCR instead of the > somewhat traumatic BMA. Is this common practice now? > Richard S ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/8zSolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. Apply anytime at http://realestatezoo.com CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Support List) --------------------------------- Part Of CMLHope.Com An International Community Of CML Patients For more information: http://cmlhope.com Post Message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To No Mail/Web: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Digest: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] CML Group Web Site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
