Breast cancer survivor: Why I joined a clinical trial at MD Anderson

After watching a relative’s local doctors coordinate their cancer treatment with specialists from MD Anderson years ago, I remember thinking, “If that ever happens to me, I’m going straight to MD Anderson.” Their expertise really impressed me.  

So, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021, that’s exactly what I did. 

That decision ended up saving my life. My local doctors had seen only one area of concern in my right breast during my annual exam. But the doctors at MD Anderson found an additional one. They also discovered that the cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes. So, changing my care team changed the entire course of my breast cancer treatment. 

My breast cancer symptoms

Looking back now, I don’t know why I didn’t think the dimpling on my right breast was a big deal. A relative had already been diagnosed with breast cancer. I also have dense breast tissue, which can make breast cancer harder to spot on screening mammograms. So, all the red flags were there. 

At the time, though, I still lived in Alaska, and all I can say is that it was early summer. People who live there will understand. We all go a little crazy then, trying to do all the things we normally can’t because we live in varying degrees of bitter cold and darkness for the remainder of the year. I got caught up in that frenzy of activity and kept putting it off. 

My breast cancer treatment

The minute I walked in the doors at MD Anderson, though, I thought, “Oh, these people can fix this. They know what they’re doing.” 

That feeling was absolutely correct. They did fix it. 

My dream team at MD Anderson included medical oncologist David Ramirez, M.D., surgical oncologist Henry Kuerer, M.D., Ph.D., radiation oncologist Benjamin Smith, M.D., and plastic surgeon Mark Schaverien, M.D. Together, they recommended a clinical trial called SAPHIRE. 

Some people feel a lot of resistance to clinical trials. I guess that’s understandable; nobody wants to feel like a guinea pig. But I don’t think most people realize how much work has gone into a clinical trial by the time it finally gets to humans. There are so many steps that come before that to keep them as safe as possible. As a scientist myself, though, I did know. So, I was super excited to be offered one. I joined it right away. 

My clinical trial’s unexpected benefits 

The goal of the SAPHIRE clinical trial is to reduce lymphedema — the swelling of tissues due to the removal of nearby lymph nodes — by reversing the order of breast cancer treatments and delivering radiation therapy in a shorter timeframe than usual. For me, it had even more benefits.  

For one thing, it enabled me to get my life back much more quickly. In Alaska, breast cancer treatments can sometimes drag out for years. But I finished my chemotherapy in February, completed radiation therapy in March, and then had a mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction and lymphovenous bypass surgery on April 19, 2022. I also had minimal side effects.  

I’ve had a few minor procedures since then to improve the symmetry and appearance of my breasts. But all the major stuff was done by April. So, I essentially finished all of my breast cancer treatments in six months. That’s a very different experience from a lot of other women. And, that’s why I remember thinking, ‘If this had to happen to me, this is the solution I needed.’”  

Consistency and teamwork built my confidence in MD Anderson

As a scientist, I’m used to questioning medical advice. I tend to do my research quietly on the side to make sure whatever I’ve been told is accurate. My breast cancer diagnosis was no different.  

Before I even started treatment, I read all of Dr. Schaverien’s and Dr. Smith’s papers online. What I found put me at ease. Their reasoning for this clinical trial’s approach made perfect sense. It was such an amazing feeling to know that I could finally just sit back and relax. I could trust my care team at MD Anderson to do what was best for me. I didn’t second-guess them.   

Another thing I found very comforting was my doctors’ consistency. I’ve never seen a team work so well together before. Every doctor gave me the same information, just from a slightly different perspective. So, the radiation oncologist said the same thing as the surgical oncologist and the medical oncologist. It really boosted my confidence. 

My life today, after breast cancer treatment

With my background in science, I was actually kind of excited to go to MD Anderson. I wanted to see all the cool things going on there! It would’ve been better if I didn’t have cancer, of course. But if I had to have it, I’m glad I got to be treated there. MD Anderson has kept me cancer-free since 2022. So, I’ve been back to enjoying life with my husband and kids for two years now.  

I’ll continue taking a drug called abemaciclib for a few more weeks. Studies have shown that it can reduce the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients with a high Ki-67 score, Grade 3 disease or higher, and lymph node involvement. 

The only downside is it makes me slightly neutropenic all the time, which is exhausting, and gives me mild edema throughout my body. So, I always feel a little puffy. Those will go away once I finish the medication, though, and I’ve had no other side effects.  

That’s why I tell everyone now to go to MD Anderson. Not all medical advice is created equal. And, you owe it to yourself to at least get a second opinion from a place that specializes in cancer.  

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.