ROBIN ROBERTS: Clinical trials
are a crucial tool in advancing
breast cancer research.
Sometimes they can mean
new hope, longer life,
and better quality of life.
But what are you facing if you
agree to participate?
Well here now, we explore
the journey of Heather Furr who
has just finished
a promising clinical trial
for her advanced breast cancer.
HEATHER FURR: When I got
into the ER they couldn't
believe what they saw.
And he said you need to get
some serious medical
intervention.
ROBIN ROBERTS: One year ago, it
was looking like Heather Furr's
time was running out.
JON FURR: She was pretty much
on her deathbed.
At that point, once it started
sinking in and I realized that I
could potentially lose my wife
and my best friend,
it wasn't too much further after
that where I realized that as
tough as that is,
my son was going to lose
his mom.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Heather was used
to fighting.
This avid kickboxer was
incredibly active
with her husband Jon
and young son, Mitchell.
Running, biking, diving.
But her second bout with breast
cancer in just two years
looked to be a losing battle.
HEATHER FURR: I was scared.
I didn't know how long I would
be here.
I felt like there has to be
something better.
All standard care--
chemotherapy, radiation, even
holistic medicine-- wasn't
working for her.
That's when her doctor
recommended pursuing
clinical trials, a decision she
had originally dismissed.
HEATHER FURR: And I decided
a week before I was to have
an appointment with them
that I wasn't going to go
because I wasn't going to be
a Guinea pig.
I wasn't going to be a number.
DR. LITTON: I think it's
the fear of the unknown.
I think that also goes
with cancer in general.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Dr. Jennifer
Litton says many breast cancer
patients opt out
of clinical trials because
of common misconceptions.
DR. LITTON: And I think
one of the biggest
misconceptions that I hear
from patients
is that they think
clinical trials are only when
you have nothing else to offer.
That's absolutely not the case.
The other thing I hear
is, well I don't want to be
a Guinea pig.
I don't want to get a sugar
pill.
DR. SMITH: And you're not going
to get that placebo.
You're either going to get
standard of care,
or you're going to get
the new experimental treatment.
So rest assured that you are
going to get treatment,
and you will be monitored very
closely.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Clinical trials
are research studies that
determine if a treatment not yet
approved by the FDA
should be allowed as part
of the standard care
for all patients.
DR. SMITH: Clinical trials are
absolutely key.
The way that we test
a new treatment, the safety
of it, the effectiveness of it,
is through clinical trial.
So the next latest and greatest
treatment for advanced breast
cancer
will come from a clinical trial.
ROBIN ROBERTS: There are
many resources to help patients
find out if they qualify for any
of the hundreds
of ongoing clinical trials,
including
a free matching service offered
by the American Cancer Society.
KATHERINE SHARPE: We really
provide that sort
of comprehensive education
around what is a trial,
when is it appropriate,
and how can we help find
the right trial for you.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Dr. Litton
oversees a clinical trial that
fits Heather's situation.
A medicine called a PARP
inhibitor that is designed
to help women with the BRCA gene
like Heather.
JON FURR: Six weeks later,
with those tumors gone,
I saw in her a light.
It was like she now had hope
and she could see that there was
potentially
a path to a continued
life with her family,
versus not really
having a chance to continue that
much longer.
ROBIN ROBERTS: A year later,
Heather is back
to her active lifestyle.
And not just feeling better,
but feeling better
about participating in something
that could help others.
HEATHER FURR: I feel like it did
give me purpose.
That I can be a small part
of the puzzle.
I don't need to be a big part,
just a small part.
To be on this particular drug
that could potentially help
other women to not have to go
through the hardships of what I
went through.
DR. LITTON: I've never been more
excited with the amount
of therapies
that we are looking
at combining.
Not every trial works as quickly
or as well as Heather.
But certainly when we see this
and we see a patient
like Heather it really spurs us
to keep going,
and to keep looking.
HEATHER FURR: I think
without the clinical trials
it's a very real possibility
that I wouldn't necessarily
be here.
And when I look at my son,
I'm going to be here for him.
Because I'm my son's mom.
And I want to raise him,
and I want to be here for him.
So my job is not done.
I'm not done.
That's what drives me every day.