The story of Nicole’s perseverance

After celebrating 15 years of breast cancer remission, Nicole began experiencing a variety of new, painful symptoms in her digestive tract. She knew something was wrong, but she found it difficult to get a clear diagnosis. Nicole persevered, and after many appointments with different doctors, her annual OB/GYN visit finally led her to an answer. She was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer.

Knowing that Nicole had a BRCA1 mutation A change or alteration found in either
the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. A BRCA mutation can be inherited (germline), which means it was passed down from a parent, or acquired
(somatic), which means it was not passed down., her healthcare team believed that after responding to chemotherapy followed by surgery, she would be a good candidate for LYNPARZA. Learn about Nicole’s journey.

LYNPARZA is a targeted therapy used to treat adults with ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that is advanced and has a certain type of inherited (germline) or acquired (somatic) abnormal BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that LYNPARZA is right for you.

Real LYNPARZA® (olaparib) Patient Nicole Real LYNPARZA® (olaparib) Patient Nicole Nicole is a real patient.

“Sharing your health history with your physicians is a crucial part of how they will be able to help you.”

This is Nicole’s story on LYNPARZA. Individual experiences with LYNPARZA will vary.

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WHAT IS LYNPARZA?

LYNPARZA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults who have:

  • ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer:
    • that is advanced and has a certain type of inherited (germline) or acquired (somatic) abnormal BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
    • in combination with another anti-cancer medicine called bevacizumab when your cancer is advanced and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive, which is identified by a certain type of abnormal BRCA gene or a positive laboratory tumor test for genomic instability. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
    • that has come back and has a certain type of inherited or acquired abnormal BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
  • human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer with a certain type of inherited abnormal BRCA gene:
    • with a high risk of recurrence. LYNPARZA is given after surgery (treatment after surgery is called adjuvant therapy). You should have received chemotherapy medicines before or after surgery to remove the tumor
    • that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). You should have received chemotherapy medicines, either before or after your cancer has spread. If you have hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer, you should have either already received hormonal therapy or hormone therapy is not the right treatment for you
  • pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma) that has spread to other parts of the body and has a certain type of abnormal inherited BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as a maintenance treatment after your cancer has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
  • metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC):
    • with a certain type of inherited or acquired abnormal homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. LYNPARZA is used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone and has progressed after treatment with other anti-cancer medicines called enzalutamide or abiraterone
    • with a certain type of abnormal inherited or acquired BRCA gene, and the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone. LYNPARZA is used in combination with another anti-cancer medicine, abiraterone, together with the steroid medicine prednisone or prednisolone

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about LYNPARZA?

LYNPARZA may cause serious side effects, including:
Bone marrow problems called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Some people who have received previous treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or certain other medicines for their cancer have developed MDS or AML during treatment with LYNPARZA. MDS or AML may lead to death.

Symptoms of low blood cell counts are common during treatment with LYNPARZA, but can be a sign of serious bone marrow problems, including MDS or AML. Symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, fever, frequent infections, blood in urine or stool, shortness of breath, feeling very tired, bruising or bleeding more easily.

Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood cell counts:

WHAT IS LYNPARZA?

LYNPARZA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults who have:

  • ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer:
    • that is advanced and has a certain type of inherited (germline) or acquired (somatic) abnormal BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
    • in combination with another anti-cancer medicine called bevacizumab when your cancer is advanced and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive, which is identified by a certain type of abnormal BRCA gene or a positive laboratory tumor test for genomic instability. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
    • that has come back and has a certain type of inherited or acquired abnormal BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
  • human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer with a certain type of inherited abnormal BRCA gene:
    • with a high risk of recurrence. LYNPARZA is given after surgery (treatment after surgery is called adjuvant therapy). You should have received chemotherapy medicines before or after surgery to remove the tumor
    • that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). You should have received chemotherapy medicines, either before or after your cancer has spread. If you have hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer, you should have either already received hormonal therapy or hormone therapy is not the right treatment for you
  • pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma) that has spread to other parts of the body and has a certain type of abnormal inherited BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as a maintenance treatment after your cancer has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
  • metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC):
    • with a certain type of inherited or acquired abnormal homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. LYNPARZA is used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone and has progressed after treatment with other anti-cancer medicines called enzalutamide or abiraterone
    • with a certain type of abnormal inherited or acquired BRCA gene, and the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone. LYNPARZA is used in combination with another anti-cancer medicine, abiraterone, together with the steroid medicine prednisone or prednisolone

Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that LYNPARZA is right for you.

It is not known if LYNPARZA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about LYNPARZA?

LYNPARZA may cause serious side effects, including:

Bone marrow problems called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Some people who have received previous treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or certain other medicines for their cancer have developed MDS or AML during treatment with LYNPARZA. MDS or AML may lead to death.

Symptoms of low blood cell counts are common during treatment with LYNPARZA, but can be a sign of serious bone marrow problems, including MDS or AML. Symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, fever, frequent infections, blood in urine or stool, shortness of breath, feeling very tired, bruising or bleeding more easily.

Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood cell counts:

  • before treatment with LYNPARZA
  • every month during treatment with LYNPARZA
  • weekly if you have low blood cell counts that last a long time

Lung problems (pneumonitis). LYNPARZA can cause serious lung problems that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms of lung problems, including shortness of breath, fever, cough, or wheezing. Your healthcare provider may do a chest x-ray if you have any of these symptoms.

Blood clots (venous thromboembolism [VTE]). Some people may develop a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg (venous thrombosis) or a clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism [PE]), which may be severe or lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms such as pain or swelling in an extremity, shortness of breath, chest pain, breathing that is more rapid than normal (tachypnea), or heart beats faster than normal (tachycardia). Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these symptoms and may prescribe blood thinner medicine.

Liver problems, including Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI): People taking LYNPARZA may develop liver problems which may be severe and can lead to death. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during your treatment with LYNPARZA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice discomfort on the right side of your stomach-area (abdominal), dark or “tea-colored” urine, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice).

Your healthcare provider may change your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with LYNPARZA if you get certain side effects.

Before taking LYNPARZA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have lung or breathing problems
  • have kidney problems
  • are pregnant, become pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. LYNPARZA can harm your unborn baby and may cause loss of pregnancy (miscarriage)
  • Females who are able to become pregnant:
    • your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with LYNPARZA
    • you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 6 months after the last dose of LYNPARZA. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you
    • tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant following treatment with LYNPARZA
  • Males with female partners who are pregnant or able to become pregnant:
    • you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 3 months after the last dose of LYNPARZA
    • do not donate sperm during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 3 months after your last dose
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if LYNPARZA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 1 month after receiving the last dose of LYNPARZA. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking LYNPARZA and certain other medicines may affect how LYNPARZA works and may cause side effects.

How should I take LYNPARZA?

  • Take LYNPARZA tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you
  • Your healthcare provider will decide how long you stay on treatment
  • Do not change your dose or stop taking LYNPARZA unless your healthcare provider tells you to
  • Take LYNPARZA by mouth 2 times a day with or without food
  • Each dose should be taken about 12 hours apart
  • Swallow LYNPARZA tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, dissolve, or divide the tablets
  • If you are taking LYNPARZA for early breast cancer and you have hormone receptor-positive disease, you should continue to take hormonal therapy during your treatment with LYNPARZA
  • If you are taking LYNPARZA for prostate cancer and you are receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog therapy, you should continue with this treatment during your treatment with LYNPARZA unless you have had a surgery to remove both of your testicles (surgical castration) to lower the amount of testosterone in your body
  • If you miss a dose of LYNPARZA, take your next dose at your usual scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose
  • If you take too much LYNPARZA, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away

What should I avoid while taking LYNPARZA?

Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, and Seville orange juice during treatment with LYNPARZA since they may increase the level of LYNPARZA in your blood.

LYNPARZA may cause serious side effects (see "What is the most important information I should know about LYNPARZA?").

Nausea or vomiting is common during treatment with LYNPARZA. Tell your healthcare provider if you get nausea or vomiting. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to treat these symptoms.

The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used alone are:

  • tiredness or weakness
  • low red blood cell counts
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • headache
  • changes in the way food tastes
  • cough
  • low white blood cell counts
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • indigestion or heartburn
  • low platelet counts

The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used in combination with bevacizumab are:

  • tiredness or weakness
  • low red blood cell counts
  • diarrhea
  • low white blood cell counts
  • urinary tract infection
  • headache

The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone are:

  • low red blood cell counts
  • tiredness or weakness
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • low white blood cell counts
  • dizziness
  • stomach-area (abdominal) pain

These are not all the possible side effects of LYNPARZA. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products(Opens in new window)Visit AstraZeneca.com to Report Side Effects.

Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

WHAT IS LYNPARZA?

LYNPARZA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults who have:

  • ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer:
    • that is advanced and has a certain type of inherited (germline) or acquired (somatic) abnormal BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
    • in combination with another anti-cancer medicine called bevacizumab when your cancer is advanced and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive, which is identified by a certain type of abnormal BRCA gene or a positive laboratory tumor test for genomic instability. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
    • that has come back and has a certain type of inherited or acquired abnormal BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
  • human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer with a certain type of inherited abnormal BRCA gene:
    • with a high risk of recurrence. LYNPARZA is given after surgery (treatment after surgery is called adjuvant therapy). You should have received chemotherapy medicines before or after surgery to remove the tumor
    • that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). You should have received chemotherapy medicines, either before or after your cancer has spread. If you have hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer, you should have either already received hormonal therapy or hormone therapy is not the right treatment for you
  • pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma) that has spread to other parts of the body and has a certain type of abnormal inherited BRCA gene. LYNPARZA is used as a maintenance treatment after your cancer has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of your first treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
  • metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC):
    • with a certain type of inherited or acquired abnormal homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. LYNPARZA is used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone and has progressed after treatment with other anti-cancer medicines called enzalutamide or abiraterone
    • with a certain type of abnormal inherited or acquired BRCA gene, and the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone. LYNPARZA is used in combination with another anti-cancer medicine, abiraterone, together with the steroid medicine prednisone or prednisolone

Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that LYNPARZA is right for you.

It is not known if LYNPARZA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about LYNPARZA?

LYNPARZA may cause serious side effects, including:

Bone marrow problems called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Some people who have received previous treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or certain other medicines for their cancer have developed MDS or AML during treatment with LYNPARZA. MDS or AML may lead to death.

Symptoms of low blood cell counts are common during treatment with LYNPARZA, but can be a sign of serious bone marrow problems, including MDS or AML. Symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, fever, frequent infections, blood in urine or stool, shortness of breath, feeling very tired, bruising or bleeding more easily.

Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood cell counts:

  • before treatment with LYNPARZA
  • every month during treatment with LYNPARZA
  • weekly if you have low blood cell counts that last a long time

Lung problems (pneumonitis). LYNPARZA can cause serious lung problems that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms of lung problems, including shortness of breath, fever, cough, or wheezing. Your healthcare provider may do a chest x-ray if you have any of these symptoms.

Blood clots (venous thromboembolism [VTE]). Some people may develop a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg (venous thrombosis) or a clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism [PE]), which may be severe or lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms such as pain or swelling in an extremity, shortness of breath, chest pain, breathing that is more rapid than normal (tachypnea), or heart beats faster than normal (tachycardia). Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these symptoms and may prescribe blood thinner medicine.

Liver problems, including Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI): People taking LYNPARZA may develop liver problems which may be severe and can lead to death. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during your treatment with LYNPARZA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice discomfort on the right side of your stomach-area (abdominal), dark or “tea-colored” urine, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice).

Your healthcare provider may change your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with LYNPARZA if you get certain side effects.

Before taking LYNPARZA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have lung or breathing problems
  • have kidney problems
  • are pregnant, become pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. LYNPARZA can harm your unborn baby and may cause loss of pregnancy (miscarriage)
  • Females who are able to become pregnant:
    • your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with LYNPARZA
    • you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 6 months after the last dose of LYNPARZA. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you
    • tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant following treatment with LYNPARZA
  • Males with female partners who are pregnant or able to become pregnant:
    • you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 3 months after the last dose of LYNPARZA
    • do not donate sperm during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 3 months after your last dose
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if LYNPARZA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 1 month after receiving the last dose of LYNPARZA. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking LYNPARZA and certain other medicines may affect how LYNPARZA works and may cause side effects.

How should I take LYNPARZA?

  • Take LYNPARZA tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you
  • Your healthcare provider will decide how long you stay on treatment
  • Do not change your dose or stop taking LYNPARZA unless your healthcare provider tells you to
  • Take LYNPARZA by mouth 2 times a day with or without food
  • Each dose should be taken about 12 hours apart
  • Swallow LYNPARZA tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, dissolve, or divide the tablets
  • If you are taking LYNPARZA for early breast cancer and you have hormone receptor-positive disease, you should continue to take hormonal therapy during your treatment with LYNPARZA
  • If you are taking LYNPARZA for prostate cancer and you are receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog therapy, you should continue with this treatment during your treatment with LYNPARZA unless you have had a surgery to remove both of your testicles (surgical castration) to lower the amount of testosterone in your body
  • If you miss a dose of LYNPARZA, take your next dose at your usual scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose
  • If you take too much LYNPARZA, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away

What should I avoid while taking LYNPARZA?

Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, and Seville orange juice during treatment with LYNPARZA since they may increase the level of LYNPARZA in your blood.

LYNPARZA may cause serious side effects (see "What is the most important information I should know about LYNPARZA?").

Nausea or vomiting is common during treatment with LYNPARZA. Tell your healthcare provider if you get nausea or vomiting. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to treat these symptoms.

The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used alone are:

  • tiredness or weakness
  • low red blood cell counts
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • headache
  • changes in the way food tastes
  • cough
  • low white blood cell counts
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • indigestion or heartburn
  • low platelet counts

The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used in combination with bevacizumab are:

  • tiredness or weakness
  • low red blood cell counts
  • diarrhea
  • low white blood cell counts
  • urinary tract infection
  • headache

The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone are:

  • low red blood cell counts
  • tiredness or weakness
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • low white blood cell counts
  • dizziness
  • stomach-area (abdominal) pain

These are not all the possible side effects of LYNPARZA. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products(Opens in new window)Visit AstraZeneca.com to Report Side Effects.

Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

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