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 “It was the first time in a year that I felt a sense of hope, a means of being proactive as well as being empowered to help myself, my daughters, my six granddaughters and,
hopefully, other women in my position.”
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Elizabeth Lee of Syracuse, NY
“In 1988, I was diagnosed with Lobular carcinoma in-situ (LCIS) - a form of non-invasive breast cancer. I was told that my only options were to have a double mastectomy or to remain under the watchful care of my doctor. Since neither option guaranteed me anything, I opted for the least invasive; having exams every six months.
About one year after my diagnosis, I read an article in the newspaper about the first Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) being conducted in Syracuse at Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York. I immediately made an appointment to complete a risk assessment to see if I qualified for the trial and I did. It was the first time in a year that I felt a sense of hope, a means of being proactive as well as being empowered to help myself, my daughters, my six granddaughters and, hopefully, other women in my position.
My choice to participate in the breast cancer clinical trial gave me and those persons closest to me the opportunity to know and understand the positive strides that have been made for the potential reduction, if not eradication, of breast cancer. But more importantly, I had access to state-of-the-art medical care and the opportunity to learn more about myself and breast cancer. I also met other women like myself and was given the opportunity to be more aggressive about all aspects of my health care, while making a contribution to humankind.”
- Elizabeth Lee
Syracuse, NY
Now, another nationwide breast cancer prevention study is underway. The study, called STAR, is currently recruiting postmenopausal women who are at high risk for breast cancer. Risk factors include age, a family history of breast cancer, a history of benign breast disease that required biopsies, first menstrual period at an early age, never having born a child, having your first child after age 30, and certain other breast conditions. In STAR, two drugs, tamoxifen (Tuh-MOX-if-en) and raloxifene (ruh-LOX-if-een), will be compared for their effectiveness in reducing the occurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women age 35 and older who are at increased risk for the disease. About 22,000 women will take part in this study. If you are past menopause and believe you are at high risk for breast cancer, you may be eligible to join STAR.
- April 2000
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