What is the Nordic Protocol? The very intense treatment Magda Szubanski will undergo to treat her stage 4 blood cancer - and why it's 'the best'
Magda Szubanski will undergo one of the 'best' - yet most intense - treatments after receiving a soul-crushing stage four blood cancer diagnosis.
The Australian comedian broke news to her fans that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma - a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
'It's serious, but I've started one of the best treatments available (the Nordic protocol), and I'm lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne,' the 64-year-old actress said in a post on Instagram.
The Nordic protocol is a treatment regimen for Mantle Cell Lymphoma that works by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered in five phases.
While it's unclear what Magda's treatment in Australia involves specifically, the regimen usually follows the same structure.
The Nordic regimen - which earned its name from clinical trials performed in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland - is also known as Maxi-CHOP and uses several high doses of intense drugs to kill cancer cells, stop their growth, help the immune system attack them and, ideally, assist patients in long-term remission.
So how does it work? Patients undergo intensive chemotherapy, alternating cycles of Maxi-CHOP and high-dose Cytarabine (another chemo drug) every 21 days, for a total of six rounds.
During the first five days of treatment, patients are required to take an oral medication called Prednisone - a white tablet that's a type of steroid used to reduce inflammation and also help fight cancer.
What is the Nordic protocol?
The Nordic protocol, also known as Maxi-CHOP, is a treatment regimen for Mantle Cell Lymphoma that works by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered over five phases.
The treatment is said to use several high doses of intensive drugs to kill cancer cells, stop their growth, help the immune system attack them and achieve long-term remission.
What's in the treatments?
Rituximab - helps your immune system find and destroy cancer cells
Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine - kill fast-growing cancer cells in different ways
Prednisone - a steroid that reduces inflammation and also helps fight cancer
Cytarabine - another chemo drug that stops cancer cells from copying themselves
After a few rounds, healthy cells are collected from the blood for future transplantation.
The third phase involves stem cell purging, where an antibody drug called rituximab is administered that targets specific proteins on cancer cells, aiding the immune system in destroying them.
During high-dose therapy, patients undergo intensive chemotherapy to eradicate residual cancer cells, followed by the reinfusion of their purified stem cells to restore healthy bone marrow function.
If relapse occurs, patients may be administered another dose of rituximab to prevent cancer from coming back.
The average age of diagnosis for Mantle Cell Lymphoma is between 60 and 65 years, with the condition being two to three times more common in men than in women.
In a gut-wrenching post, the beloved comedian revealed she had been battling a rare and 'fast-moving' blood cancer.
'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me,' she said.
'I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about - don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.
'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up.'
The TV personality said she had been feeling pretty unwell for a while, so she decided to get extra blood tests as a precaution - but ended up discovering her devastating diagnosis.
'So the take away is - get tested and listen to your body,' she urged her fans.
'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits - but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll.
'Love you all, Mags.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Sydney's nightlife slammed by local woman - as she exposes major problem
A fiery young woman has unleashed on Sydney 's youth in a brutal social media rant, accusing them of killing the city's nightlife - not because there's nothing to do, but because they're too boring to enjoy it. Sydneysider Tazzy explained her rant was going to 'really piss a lot of people in Sydney off' but was something that needed to be said. The 30-year-old said Sydney's nightlife was often described as boring however the root cause was not a lack of interesting things to do but rather the people who go out in the city. 'You hear people say all the time that Sydney's nightlife is boring,' she said in a video shared to social media. 'But we need to address the problem at the root. It's not the nightlife that's boring. People from Sydney are insufferably f****** boring.' Tazzy said the demographic included Sydneysiders aged between 18 and 34-years-old who were supposed to be having fun but are not. She said some blame the cost-of-living crisis as the reason they don't engage in Sydney's nightlife as often. But Tazzy believed that was not an excuse, as young adults across the world were also struggling with the cost of living but still managed to have fun in their cities. Tazzy claimed Sydneysiders were 'well adjusted,' and that meant their prime years were boring. 'We have a good education system, so everyone gets raised pretty well adjusted. What you end up with is a bunch of 18 to 35 year-olds who are relatively well adjusted, and that just means that they're extremely f****** boring,' she said. She added that Sydneysiders are obsessed with fitness and health, which becomes their only hobby. 'If you ask most people in Sydney, they don't have any special interests. They don't have any passions. They don't have anything interesting that they can talk to you about,' she said. 'They actually just don't even have things to f****** say, because they are so f****** well adjusted. Their only hobby is physically working out.' She suggested that for many Australians, grabbing a coffee and walking their dog is often the highlight of their day. 'That's why it's all about dogs, because, like, that's the only interesting thing that they have to in their life,' she said. Tazzy said there are only four interesting groups of people who enrich Sydney's nightlife: creatives, queers, drug addicts, and ethnics from out west. She claimed cities like New York, Paris, and London stood in stark contrast to Sydney, as the 'sheer diversity of people' made the environments 'electric.' The music producer added Sydney's creative industries were suffering as a result, with not enough creative people in the art and music scenes to support new artists. She ended her rant by saying she was exhausted trying to make friends in Sydney. Many social media users agreed with Tazzy's scathing assessment of Sydneysiders, with many claiming the city was socially empty. 'Fully agree! 95 per cent just walk around like NPCs (non-player characters), all dressing the same, doing the same things, same music etc,' one person commented. 'This is so true, I moved here four-ish years ago and when I met people they're asking where I went to school. Mind you we're in our 30s,' a second person wrote. A third said, 'This is so real. I moved here about 18 months ago and honestly, I've never experienced a city that feels so socially dry. 'It's just crowds of insufferably straighty-180s. There's almost no eclectic energy, no sense of play or vulnerability. There's no spontaneity, no vibrant third spaces, and no creativity unless you really go hunting for it.' A fourth added: '100 per cent agree. Moved here four months ago from Tassie and can't wait for my contract to end. It's objectively pretty here but soulless and like 80 per cent of the content from Sydney I see is just 5am run clubs in Bondi. Nothing else.' Others disagreed with Tazzy, suggesting that if she didn't like the city, she should move elsewhere. 'Girl why are you so pressed, just move,' one person commented. 'I agree to a degree. We exist where we do have more interests. You just haven't found your people yet,' a second person wrote. A third added: 'People just have different priorities, it's not that they're boring. You just have to find your people. I personally won't find my people out in the clubs every weekend, that doesn't make me or my kind of people boring.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Kmart quietly drops surprise range of homewares overnight ahead of official August living launch: 'I need it all'
In the lead-up to its eagerly awaited August living launch, Kmart has surprised shoppers with a secret new range that's already causing a buzz among fans. This latest drop is packed with versatile pieces that effortlessly combine function and flair. The Arch Black floor mirror ($129), a sleek, full-length buy with a minimalist arch silhouette and black frame, promises to add a modern elegance to your home. Its slim design means it fits neatly into smaller spaces, while the full-length reflection ticks the boxes for practicality and style. For those after a softer, textural touch, the Curved Boucle floor mirror ($75) is a standout piece, wrapped in a plush boucle fabric that introduces both warmth and sophistication into the room. Lighting fans will find plenty to get excited about too, with the Alex floor lamp ($79) bringing warmth through its wood base and pleated shade, casting an ambient glow perfect for cosy evenings or relaxed reading nooks. And for the nights when soft, portable light is just what you need, the rechargeable Nico portable lamp ($19) in retro red and lilac offers a charming glow that's easy to move around wherever the mood strikes. Not forgetting bathrooms, Kmart has introduced the Isla bathroom cabinet ($79) - a clever blend of open shelves and concealed cupboard space that's ideal for keeping toiletries and towels organised without sacrificing style. But it's not just about décor. Kmart also knows Australians appreciate a clever cleaning hack. The dust slippers, priced at just $6, allow you to tidy as you move, catching dust and dirt effortlessly. While the 3-in-1 cleaning gloves ($4) promise streak-free glass, polish, and dusting with ultimate ease - perfect for those who want quick results without the fuss. In the kitchen, Kmart continues to impress with smart, affordable gadgets. Their air fryer oven ($119) has already won fans for convenience and versatility, and now the compact omelette maker ($20) makes whipping up a fluffy, two-portion treat quick and mess-free - a win for busy mornings. Herb enthusiasts will appreciate the Herb keep savers ($5.50), which prolong freshness and cut down on waste - a small but thoughtful addition that foodies can't get enough of. The new tropical dinner plates ($8) add a splash of fun with palm leaf, shell, and peach designs that brighten up any meal Meanwhile, the new tropical dinner plates ($8) add a splash of fun with palm leaf, shell, and peach designs that brighten up any meal. It's this combination of style, practicality, and price that keeps Australians coming back to Kmart. With this new secret drop offering fresh ways to update homes ahead of the full living launch, it's clear Kmart is once again tapping into what everyday shoppers want: affordable pieces modelled off the 'it' buys of the moment. Whether you're redecorating, upgrading your lighting, or hunting for clever kitchen helpers, this new range has got people talking - and reaching for their wallets.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Orlando Bloom joins Katy Perry and their daughter Daisy in Perth as he gears up for 'heart-to-heart talk' with the pop star amid 'rough patch' in marriage and fight over space flight
Orlando Bloom has joined Katy Perry and their daughter Daisy Dove, five, in Australia amid rumours of trouble in their marriage. The actor, 48, was spotted spending time with his little girl Daisy in Perth on Sunday. Father and daughter were joined by members of his entourage, including a man who appeared to be a security guard. Katy, who performed at Perth RAC Arena that night, did not join the group. Ever the doting dad, Orlando carried Daisy on his shoulders ad they took at stroll around the city's CBD. The little one carried a balloon animal in her hand as she affectionately kissed her dad's head. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Orlando dressed casually for the outing, wearing a long-sleeve printed top and matching black jeans. He did his best to go incognito by wearing a baseball cap on his head. Daisy appeared thrilled to be spending time with her father after being on tour with her mother since the start of June. Orlando's trip Down Under comes after reports that Katy and Orlando are set to have serious conversations about the state of their relationship. From her controversial Blue Origin space flight to her absence from their Montecito, California home due to her world tour – things have been a bit rough for the longtime couple lately. And while rumors may be circulating about the demise of their nearly decade long relationship, an insider told The Sun 'no one has decided it's definitely the end of the road for Katy and Orlando.' 'They both love each other, but they have been living different lives for at least a year and in different mindsets,' a source told the publication. 'But Katy especially doesn't want to just give up,' the source continued. Katy has been in Australia for the entire month of June, with the last performance of her Lifetimes Tour Down Under on June 30 in Adelaide. Her tour has caused the 'biggest disruption' in her home life with the Lord of the Rings star. The source said: 'Katy and Orlando have been disconnected for a while now, and with their work commitments have been living separate lives. 'She has mentioned jetting back from Australia to spend time with Orlando, Daisy, her sister Angela and her kids. 'They have barely been together for a decent amount of time, without distractions, for many, many months. 'It has been "go, go, go" and they thrived when they enjoyed a more settled life, being together in the same place for a length of time. But that has just not happened.' Additionally, Orlando wasn't in favor of Katy's Blue Origin space flight. However, in spite of their disagreements and obstacles, the source insisted it isn't all over for the couple. 'It is quite a lot more complicated than that. They have been apart for their longest amount of time since they have been together. 'But there is still a huge amount of love between them, and there is still hope that they can ride out this rough patch. 'Anyone in long term relationships goes through challenges, and many times when things appear to be done, couples reconnect and make things work.' Despite recent tensions, the source remains optimistic: 'The type of people they are, there still remains a lot of hope. Katy has never been happier in her life than with Orlando.' 'If this reunion can revive those times, then they could come through this.' It is unknown if Katy is also set to fly to Venice, Italy for the wedding of Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos. The guest list is thought to have less than 200 people, with suspected guests including A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy and Orlando and members of the Trump family. The Amazon boss has booked the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, one of the largest and grandest buildings in the historical center of Venice, as part of the multi-day-long extravaganza of celebrations. Up until now, little has been known about what may be dubbed as the wedding of the year - but a source in Italy has exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail all of the intimate details that you need to know. According to the insider, Bezos' $500 million superyacht, Koru, will be moored off the coast of San Georgio Maggiore island, which is home to the famous Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th century Benedictine church. They shared that the island is 'off-limits to visitors' from June 24 to June 29, with the mayor believing that the wedding will take place on the yacht. However, The Misericodria, an iconic event space in Venice, has been booked out from June 26 to June 28.
