TAMPA, FL -- All this month we've been taking action against breast cancer along with our partners Watson Clinic in Lakeland.
We ask the question: if you were dying of breast cancer, would you try an experimental treatment to save your life? Here's some important information on clinical trials.
Breast cancer survivor Danielle Ames lives for simple moments like these. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer while in her early thirties, Danielle is fighting for her life.
She's been through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Her greatest fear through it all: "That I was going to die and now one was gong to be around to take care of my kids."
This single mother has four very good reasons to continue her fight to survive. So she decided to take a proactive approach to prevent reoccurrence by participating in a clinical trial of an investigation treatment.
The trial is hoping to prove: "If a treatment used for colon cancer can also be used for breast cancer because it’s so successful when used with colon cancer."
Susan Collins, a clinical trial researcher and RN at Watson Clinic in Lakeland, says Danielle is part of a growing trend. "Actually, fourteen percent of the population come in sign a consent form and participate in trials which are higher than the national average."
Danielle has been getting the drug Avastin along with her standard treatment. She's in the third and final stage of the trial. So, is it working for her? "I won't know until I get my scan on the 17th of December."
The clinical trial treatment can come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and sores in the mouth. Collins says some side effects are more serious, "It may increase the risk of heart damage, so again, that's why we monitor your heart."
Here’s why Danielle says it's worth the risk. "My mom had breast cancer, I had breast cancer. I wanted to try and eliminate the chance of my daughter getting it and, God forbid, if she does, I want to make it’s as easy as possible on anyone."
For more information on breast cancer clinical trials in our area go to:
http://www.watsonclinic.com/clinicalTrials/currentTrials.aspx Moffitt Cancer Center Press Release
