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.