Lee’s Story

When Lee noticed a lump in her breast a few years ago at age 52, she received the news no one can truly prepare for.

“When the doctor told me I had breast cancer, I felt terror like I’ve never felt before.” 

Lee’s greatest joy in life is being a mum. It was hard enough to manage her own devastation of her diagnosis, but she was even more distressed about how her husband Warren of 27 years and her three children Joshua, Charlotte and William would take the news.

“My children mean the world to me. I was very worried about telling them. They were all so upset. That was the hardest thing for me.” 

Lee underwent 12 long months of treatment – including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

“The treatment was grueling and there were days I didn’t think I could go on.” 

Chemotherapy is one of the best treatments available to treat breast cancer – but it can come at an enormous cost.

Everyone responds to it differently, and unfortunately, a lot of women suffer awful side effects including hair loss, nausea, tiredness, aches, and pains. There can also be prolonged fatigue, and long-term problems including nerve damage and poor memory and concentration.

What if you could spare someone you love from the gruelling side effects of chemotherapy without compromising their survival?

The OPTIMA clinical trial is now open to women overseas to find out whether a new test can identify patients who may be spared chemotherapy and its side effects—without compromising their survival.

This crucial trial isn’t yet available in Australia—but it can be with the support of people like you, who understand the importance of breast cancer research.

Just think what the learnings from trials like OPTIMA could do for more mums like Lee.

Mums who want nothing more than to make the most of quality time with their families—to feel well and happy rather than sick, exhausted and in pain.

Lee knows too well what clinical trials research into breast cancer has meant for her life.

“If I had this breast cancer 10 or 15 years ago, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t even be here today. I wouldn’t have my life and I wouldn’t be here for my beautiful children. I’m so grateful. I love my family and I just want to enjoy them. Without medical research, where would we be?”

Make a gift today to support new research into breast cancer treatment.

It will help fund research like the promising OPTIMA clinical trial, to make extraordinary discoveries and give people like Lee their life back.

About the OPTIMA trial…

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, with over 20,000 Australian’s estimated to be diagnosed this year alone. Every one of them deserves the treatment that will save their life and give them back the futures they had planned.

Breast Cancer Trials is a unique collaboration of researchers, trial participants and YOU, our valued supporters working together to protect and save lives.

Clinical trials are the crucial step that sees laboratory breakthroughs ultimately reach the patients who need them. Results from clinical trials save lives in the future but women who take part in the trials may also benefit from having access to a new treatment now.

Please give generously and fund clinical trials research to help keep families, like Lee’s, together.