['lizbeth]

Ladies,

3-4% enroll in clinical trials - now you see why I get so excited when someone on the board enrolls in a clinical trial. A big thank you again to Karen for enrolling!

I have heard many stage IV folks upset about the amount of money for MBC research. Yet if enrollment was filled quickly many clinical trials would have been completed years earlier. Successful trial treatments would have been available to many, many cancer patients.

When a newly diagnosed patient goes for treatment - the majority are only offered standard of care. It is difficult to convince a traumatized newly diagnosed stranger on the board to consider a trial.

I asked if I could be in a clinical trial for primary treatment and my oncologist told me she didn't want to do the paperwork, and she used scare tactics about what could happen.

I don't want to minimize the risks, some patients have died from participating in clinical trials. More patients have had positive results from participating. Some have been miraculously cured, others have gained months and years of precious time.

and yes, if more research needs to be in a certain area - that needs to be addressed as well.

If we work together - to get the word out. Most Cancer patients are not doing their part to advance the standard of care. It is up to us to ensure the millions and millions of dollars going into research are not wasted due to inadequate enrollment. It is up to us to push the advancement of standard of care.

So my wish for the new year is to get more ladies involved with me to encourage the newly diagnosed to consider a clinical trial for primary treatment. And to help those with recurrence to find an appropriate trial. Better yet - for those completing primary treatment to enroll in one of the Vaccine trials within 3 to 6 months. The numbers are already showing effectiveness from the phase 2 data.

In 2013, we ladies need to become cancer pioneers and not victims. Even if you are NED, there are studies to be in: Vaccine, breast reconstruction, exercise, cognitive studies. Look, consider and please enroll.

Thanks again Karen, and may you be NED, forever please!