Mr. Studds. Next, Mrs. Elaine B. Forman from Potomac, Mary- 

 land, who is a cancer patient with experience in the subject matter 

 of this hearing. 



STATEMENT OF ELAINE B. FORMAN, CANCER PATIENT TREATED 

 WITH TAXOL, POTOMAC, MARYLAND 



Ms. Form AN. When you look at me, I think you see a healthy 

 woman and for now I do feel well. But if it were not for the Nation- 

 al Institutes of Health taxol program I would probably not be alive 

 today. I am a cancer survivor, in remission for a little more than a 

 year now. 



In May of 1991, after four months of what I view as the most 

 horrible tests known to man, all of which turned out negative, only 

 after surgery, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The surgeon 

 told my children I had six months to live. 



I was treated with the traditional chemotherapy, cisplatin and 

 cytoxin. The treatment was difficult and about two-thirds through, 

 it was evident that I was not responding. What supposedly was the 

 best treatment available to ovarian cancer patients just had not 

 worked for me. 



I would like to tell you something about myself before cancer. 



I call myself a geriatric jock. I was involved more than casually 

 in athletics, not just since the health craze but what seems like for- 

 ever. I am happy to say that after treatment and as soon as my 

 blood levels returned to normal I went back to my daily exercise 

 routine. In December, it will be a year. 



As for nutrition, it had always been one of my greatest concerns. 

 I know about fibers, vegetables and fruits. I have run a vegetarian 

 household since 1977. When I would go out with friends, they 

 would jokingly say, "We have to behave ourselves now that we are 

 with Lainie." I don't smoke and I have an occasional glass of wine 

 with dinner. 



I get annual physicals. My doctor knows me very well; he deliv- 

 ered my children. I have been "in perfect health". There is longevi- 

 ty on both sides of my family. My 86-year-old mother moved to this 

 area a year ago and is independent and well. My father died at 89. 

 Moreover, there is no history of cancer in my family. 



I consider myself a contented person. I did have a tragedy six 

 years ago. My husband died. It was not easy for the family after 

 that, but my children completed their education. I stayed in our 

 home and was able to continue with my business. I am fortunate to 

 have many friends and have remained active and busy during all 

 my treatments. 



I would say I was a low-risk person. 



But October of 1992, having failed to respond to chemotherapy, 

 and feeling really sick, I knew I was in a bad place. Other drug 

 treatments were suggested, but I knew I had the best there was, 

 and that these would be ineffective. 



I heard about taxol. I had even tried to get in a program for first- 

 line treatment, but I didn't fit the protocol. It was not until I really 

 needed taxol that I realized how difficult it was to get. Fortunately, 

 taxol is now available for ovarian cancer treatment for all women. 



