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Breast Cancer Trial

(NBC/WRCB) - "My initial diagnosis was in 2006 and then again in 2008," said Valerie Gardner, breast cancer survivor.

Two-time breast cancer survivor Valerie Gardner wants the best treatment available.

"After my initial diagnosis, actually, I became interested in finding out about clinical studies," she said.

With so many trials out there, Gardner found it overwhelming to research which one was best for her until she found a new Web site,  BreastCancerTrials.org.

Gardner jokes that it's like Match.com. You put in your personal information, and the site matches you up with a trial that could be right for you.

"In working with this Web site, suddenly I get choices," said Gardner. "I have decisions to make. I get to do what I want to do and what's best for me, so it's a very empowering feeling."

There are hundreds of breast cancer trials going on throughout the country.

Elly Cohen, a breast cancer survivor who manages the site out of UCSF, says many patients don't realize they qualify.

"One of the biggest myths is that trials are only for people who have run out of options, and that's really not the case at all," she said.

In fact, there are trials for breast cancer prevention, for post cancer patients and for people who have been recently diagnosed.

She says such trials are the key to finding a cure.

"Everything we have ever learned about breast cancer every advance has come out of clinical trials, and I think that we can very soon see a time when people don't have to worry about dying from breast cancer," said Dr. Laura Esserman.

A life saving connection to treatment, helping women now and in the future.

Jennifer Homa from Erlanger sent us this statement:

"We do have a department specifically for clinic trials and medical research. They stay up to date with what trials are available through a national database. A panel of doctors and healthcare providers, known as the Institutional Review Board at the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, reviews these plans before a trial starts, making sure it is well designed and that any risks are as low as possible. Once the trial begins, participants are monitored and watched carefully by the oncologist that is treating them."

Currently, there are 27 trials actively recruiting for adult oncology patients within the Erlanger Health System. The most active research studies include cancer of the head or neck, breast, and lung, glioblastoma, carcinoid, and gastrointestinal cancers. Approximately 120 oncology patients are enrolled in these studies at Erlanger.

If a patient is interested in participating in a trial, they must consider, even though tests are designed to protect a participant's safety, treatments can sometimes cause unanticipated side effects. On the plus side, if the study outcome is helpful, you may be among the first to benefit, and you can feel good about contributing to medical knowledge.

Are you a good candidate for this clinical trial? All clinical trials have guidelines about who can participate, based on such factors as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions. Before joining a clinical trial, you must qualify for the study.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Why do I want to take part in a clinical trial?
• What are my goals and expectations?
• Are they realistic?
• Do I understand the risk and benefits?

Those who would like to get more information on clinical trials specifically for breast cancer can call Janet Kramer at Cancer Resource Center: (423) 778-3253.