NEW ORLEANS — The most common cancer of the female reproductive organs is on the rise.
There are predictions that there will be nearly 70,000 new cases this year, but a brand new treatment being tested in New Orleans offers life-saving hope.
Rhonda Babin is all too familiar with cancer. Her aunt has had breast cancer, and it's what took her mother's life. It affected her terribly.
“Oh God, I was 11-years-old. It was very sad, very, very. I didn't realize 'til I was 40 years old that I had never dealt with the grief,” said Rhonda Babin, 60, of Delcambre, Louisiana, south of Lafayette.
Her mom was only 37 when she died. Rhonda was diagnosed with cancer at 37. Now, at only 60, she has gone through chemo, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy for three types of cancer: breast, kidney, and the linings of her uterus and abdomen.
“Endometrial is actually the most common gynecologic malignancy in this country, and interestingly, it's probably one of the only cancers we've seen a rise in recent years, and it's killing more and more women. We do know that things like excess body weight and obesity are risk factors. Family history can be a risk factor as well,” explained Dr. Amelia Jernigan, the Division Director of Gynecology Oncology at LSU Health Sciences Center, where she is also an Associate Professor of Gynecologic Oncology.
Rhonda has that family genetic mutation of BRCA1, but she also now has new hope. She is coming from her home near Lafayette to the University Medical Center in New Orleans for a clinical trial through the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center. It's a brand new type of advanced precision medicine being tested for some types of female cancers. Doctors can examine a sample of the tumor on a molecular level and then design the treatment.
“Her tumor markers have gone from nearly 700 down to 88 at the last check. So, they're getting very close to normal,” said Dr. Jernigan.
And that’s giving Rhonda a great deal of hope.
“Oh God, a lot. A lot. It was unbelievable how, how quick it worked,” she said.
Dr. Jernigan wants women of all ages who notice any type of abnormal bleeding to see a gynecologist early on. She is grateful for Rhonda.
“We're just lucky for patients like Rhonda who are brave enough to decide to participate in the trial, because we get to have new tools that are avail,” said Dr. Jernigan.
To see if you qualify for the free clinical trial for female cancers or others, click here or call (866) 559-2476
There may also be help for patients who are away from home and need a free place to stay.
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