Breast cancer vaccine now in clinical trials could someday save millions

A new vaccine for triple negative breast cancer currently being tested at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville could someday save millions of lives.Doctors said that although the vaccine is still in clinical trials, early results indicate that it seems to be working with few negative side effects. The only problem is that reports show less than 5 percent of adults with cancer enroll in clinical trials or studies.Stacy Hanson, who is battling triple negative breast cancer, is hoping to change that by pushing for more cancer patients to get involved. She believes it could help doctors make strides that could save future generations."We need clinic trials, and we need participants," Hanson said.Dr. Saranya Chumsri said the idea behind the vaccine is similar to vaccinations against infections, such the measles and influenza, and could help the body's immune system prevent cancer from coming back. "It's for patients who already had breast cancer but early stage, and the tumor has already been resected," Chumsri said. "Then we will vaccinate the patient to help reduce the risk of recurrence."Since Hanson is already at the last stage of cancer, the vaccine wouldn't work for her. But that isn't stopping her from advocating for it. She believes it could help save people in the future, such as her 5-year-old daughter."Yes, I hope that in my lifetime, science catches up and I get 40, 50 years," Hanson said. "I want that for myself. But more importantly, I want my daughter to have a life without cancer. I don't want her to ever have to worry about cancer."

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —

A new vaccine for triple negative breast cancer currently being tested at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville could someday save millions of lives.

Doctors said that although the vaccine is still in clinical trials, early results indicate that it seems to be working with few negative side effects. The only problem is that show less than 5 percent of adults with cancer enroll in clinical trials or studies.

Stacy Hanson, who is battling triple negative breast cancer, is hoping to change that by pushing for more cancer patients to get involved. She believes it could help doctors make strides that could save future generations.

"We need clinic trials, and we need participants," Hanson said.

Dr. Saranya Chumsri said the idea behind the vaccine is similar to vaccinations against infections, such the measles and influenza, and could help the body's immune system prevent cancer from coming back.

"It's for patients who already had breast cancer but early stage, and the tumor has already been resected," Chumsri said. "Then we will vaccinate the patient to help reduce the risk of recurrence."

Since Hanson is already at the last stage of cancer, the vaccine wouldn't work for her. But that isn't stopping her from advocating for it.

She believes it could help save people in the future, such as her 5-year-old daughter.

"Yes, I hope that in my lifetime, science catches up and I get 40, 50 years," Hanson said. "I want that for myself. But more importantly, I want my daughter to have a life without cancer. I don't want her to ever have to worry about cancer."

��vlog