Actor Rob Lowe is leveraging his family’s history with breast cancer to advocate for greater participation in cancer clinical trials. This initiative, in collaboration with Eli Lilly, aims to raise awareness about the critical role of clinical trials in advancing cancer treatments.
Lowe’s personal connection to breast cancer spans three generations of women in his family. His grandmother, Mim, faced a daunting battle with the disease, being diagnosed with breast cancer at a time when the prognosis was grim. After undergoing a bilateral mastectomy, she later participated in clinical trials, which significantly extended her life. “Both times had tremendous, tremendous success, and it was a very pivotal moment in my upbringing that I always remember,” Lowe remarked.
Following Mim’s journey, Lowe’s mother also received a breast cancer diagnosis, but the advancements in care during that time offered her a more optimistic treatment path. Lowe emphasizes the transformative improvements in medical care for breast cancer, which have been evident across the experiences of his family members.
Despite these advancements, only about 7% of cancer patients in the U.S. currently participate in clinical trials, which hinders access to potentially life-saving innovations. Through his partnership with Eli Lilly, Lowe hopes to motivate more individuals to consider enrolling in clinical trials as a way to honor the memories of his grandmother and the other women in his life affected by this disease.
Lowe highlights the promise that clinical trials can bring, including access to groundbreaking treatments not yet available on the market. He cites the development of a new breast cancer vaccine currently showing efficacy in trials, which aims to train the immune system to recognize and eradicate cancerous cells before they become invasive.
While clinical trials present new hope, various barriers prevent many from joining. Factors such as location, insurance coverage, and trust in the healthcare system can hinder participation. Moreover, new treatments often require years of study and FDA approval before becoming standard care.
Lowe encourages anyone interested in clinical trials to consult with their doctors and seeks to spread the message that these trials offer hope and the possibility of significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment. “There’s so much hope out there, and it’s not an end-of-the-road ask,” he stated, reminding patients that exploring clinical trials could be the beginning of their journey to recovery.