Rob Lowe Speaks Out About Oneof the Most Dangerous and Unrecognized Side Effects of Chemotherapy—infections (NAPSA)—Fornearly half of all newly diagnosed patients, cancer is no longer a deadly disease. This is due in large part to chemotherapy. However, many cancer patients do not realize that while chemotherapy destroys harmful cancer cells, it also destroys healthy, infection-fighting white blood cells, making patients vulnerable to infections— which maybelife-threatening. In his work as an advocate for cancer education, actor Rob Lowe (“The West Wing”) has seen the hardship faced by people going through chemotherapy. But these difficulties really hit home when his father, Chuck, developed a serious infection brought on by chemotherapy. “It was really scary for us,” says Lowe. “Although chemotherapy was the miracle that ultimately saved my father’s life, there was a side effect that we were unpreparedfor.” Althoughinfection is one of the most serious side effects of chemotherapy, it is often not discussed with patients. Only one in 10 receives proactive protection from infection. Instead, most doctors tend to treat these infections only after they occur. Infections during chemotherapy are dangerous because they can force patients to stop their cancer treatment, potentially jeopardizing their chances for success; they can land patients in the hospital, which places them at unnecessary risk and discomfort, close to others who carry infections and away from the support and love of family and friends. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new prescription medicine from Amgen called Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), which boosts the body’s Eso Va Actor Rob Lowe and his father, Chuck,are filming a video as part of a new public education initiative called By My Side: Tak- ing Charge of Cancer Treatment. The program is designed to help cancerpatients learn more about chemotherapy-related infections and other serious chemotherapy side effects. own natural infection-fighting white blood cells to help protect patients against infections. It is now available for cancer patients. Meanwhile, to help raise awareness about infections and other chemotherapy sideeffects, Lowe has joined forces with Amgen to launch By My Side: Taking Charge of Cancer Treatment, a multi-media education program. The program offers a wealth of free information on the “visible” side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and hairloss, the “hidden”side effects, such as infection and emotional duress, and provides tips on preventing or managing them. FREE VIDEO, BOOKLET To receive a Free Booklet and Video, call toll-free (866) BY-MY- SIDEor visit www.ByMySide.com. For more information about Neu- lasta, call (866) 611-DRUGorvisit www.neulasta.com.
