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Advanced Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Close to Home
Judy Geiger with her grandson, Ryan Jasinski, at Ronnie's Wehrenberg Theater in south St. Louis County.
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Breast cancer clinical trials at St. Anthony's.
Judy Geiger is a proud grandmother. The Webster Groves resident spends as much time as she can with her grandson, Ryan, watching ball games, taking him on trips and having fun.
“We have a special bond, and I don't ever want to lose that,” she says with a smile. So when Geiger was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, she wasn't about to let that stop her life.
“I wasn't surprised when I found some lumps,” she says matter-of-factly. “My younger sister died of breast cancer, and I thought it was a matter of time before I got it, too.”
In less than a month, Geiger underwent follow-up tests, a biopsy and multiple consultations with cancer specialists before having surgery. Then her doctor recommended that she take part in a clinical research trial. Diagnosed with Stage II infiltrating ductal breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes, Geiger was asked to help test the effectiveness of two hormonal therapy drugs.
“It's another way of finding out information and more ways to deal with the cancer,” she explains. “I don't consider it a black cloud where you participate in research only as a last resort. I'm trying to find out ways to do more.”
“The medical community is constantly finding new and better ways to fight cancer, and we're proud to be a part of that,” says Pamela Crecelius, MSN, RN, CCRP, St. Anthony's senior clinical research coordinator. “We have multiple cancer trials under way at any given time and are among many community hospitals across the country that participate in National Cancer Institute sponsored research groups, many of which focus on breast cancer.”
“People should jump at the chance to participate in a cancer research trial,” says Geiger. “Cancer is scary. Why not tackle it head-on by getting the latest treatments available or by helping to test the next generation of medicines?”
Geiger adds with a hearty laugh, “It's called living!”
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit find a physician online.
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