UAB Cancer Center Spotlight: Freda Lewis

Q & A with Freda Lewis
Clinical Trials Administrator

Tell us about yourself.

"I am a single mother to my daughter who is now 34, I am from Birmingham and have lived here all of my life. I enjoy volunteering at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, Relay for Life, the Deep South Network for Cancer Control, and I am adviser to the Komen Foundation. I love reading and cheering on the Birmingham Barons and Auburn Tigers." 

How long have you been at UAB?

"I have been at UAB for 26 years, 14 of which have been at the Cancer Center. I started in the Clinical Trials Network, which evolved to where I work today."

UAB Cancer Center R.N. Spotlight: Valerie Caterinicchia

Valerie Caterinicchia, R.N.

Research Nurse Coordinator for UAB's Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Clinical Studies Unit

How did you come to this department of the Cancer Center?

“I originally answered an ad for a position in spinal research, but they did away with that position, but there was an opening in breast cancer research. I’d never done research or oncology, but I decided to give it a try. I’ve been here ever since and love it.”
 

What does your interaction with the patient look like?

“When the patient comes in, we assess any side effects, and if anything is abnormal, we consult the protocol for what to do. One of my favorite parts of my job is alleviating my patients’ fears and anxieties. When they first come in, they’re scared. I’m there to hold their hand and comfort them and let them know it’s going to be okay.”

Do you consider your job challenging?

“The drugs are getting more and more complex. Sometimes I feel like I need to go back to college to re-learn the anatomy and physiology, but we have great teachers in our physicians who can explain it to us so that we can explain it to the patients.”
 

 Tell us about your experience as a research nurse.

“I feel like I’m making a contribution to advance science. We have to keep fighting the fight. If something doesn’t help the patient, what we learn from that might help the next. I love my patients. The best part is when they come to you after the treatments and say, ‘I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you.’ You know you’ve made an impact, and that’s rewarding.”


Mrs. Caterinicchia's full story can be found in the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center's Magazine

UAB and Clinical Trials - Every Step of the Way

Do you know what is available for you in a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a medical research study that may potentially improve patient health outcomes. The goal of a clinical trial is to find better and safer ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat disease. A clinical trial may also look for ways to improve patients’ quality of life.

Patient navigators, like a nurse, play an important role in patient care. They also have an important role in helping patients join clinical trials. Part of the patient navigator’s role is to provide information about clinical trials. They help patients understand what a clinical trial is and how it works. They also support patients as they decide whether a clinical trial is right for them. 

The Patient Navigator Program at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is a free service available to help patients and their family members navigate their health care. A personal navigator will be assigned to help you with any questions, concerns or difficulties you may face along the way.  The Patient Navigator can:

                                         –Guide you through the health care system
–Help you get to your appointments
–Support you throughout your cancer treatment
–Find answers to your questions
–Locate community and social services to meet your needs
–Assist in completing insurance forms
–Help you find information on health care
–Direct you to local resources and support
–Provide assistance with financial concerns
–Encourage and inform you and your family
–Access your unique concerns and needs

Another way UAB commits to treating the patient through their whole journey is through cancer support groups. Other support services include: planning for survivorship, financial and legal planning, mindfulness meditation, and
spirituality group sessions. In addition to emotional support, we also offer physical support through restorative yoga and yoga dance. For questions or more information, contact Teri Hoenemeyer at (205) 934-5772.

Clinical Trials - FAQ

These are some commonly asked questions about clinical trials that may help you understand the process and the importance of cancer research. For more information, visit the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center's website.

What is a clinical trial?

Participants in a clinical trial will receive interventions from medical researchers or medical doctors. These interventions could be procedures, medical products, drugs or changes to the participant’s behavior, such as diet change. When a new product or approach is being studied, it is not known if the treatment will be helpful or harmful. The medical researchers are trying to determine the safety and effectiveness of the intervention by measuring outcomes in participants.

Where are clinical studies conducted, and how long do they last?

Clinical studies make take place at hospitals, universities, doctor’s offices or community clinics. Location may vary. Length of the study also varies, but participants will be told how long the study will last before enrolling.

Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials add to medical knowledge related to treatment, diagnosis and prevention of diseases or conditions. The results of these studies can make a difference in the care of future patients by providing information about the benefits and risks of new treatments. Some trials may provide participants with the chance of receiving direct medical benefits. When previous treatments have become exhausted with patients, clinical trials are often a favorable option.

Who can participate?

Researchers have criteria for their participants. Some research studies seek participants who have the illnesses or conditions that will be studied. Some look for healthy participants. Gender, age, the type and stage of the disease, previous treatment history and other medical conditions will also be considered.

How is my safety protected?

National and international regulations and policies have been developed to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of people who take part in clinical trials and to ensure that trials are conducted according to strict scientific and ethical principles.

Why donate to clinical trial research?

Cancer survivors are living longer and have a better quality of life than ever before. None of this would have been possible without clinical trials. Because of research through clinical trials, scientists and cancer researchers have been able to translate discoveries into new treatments for cancer.

Developing Cutting-Edge Therapies to Offer More Clinical Trials

Did you know that our physicians and scientists at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center are on the cutting-edge of breakthrough therapies? This team of more than 350 physician-scientists is committed to developing and discovering the best therapy treatments possible for our cancer patients. In fact, many clinical trials offered at UAB use treatments that were created right here. When you come to our Cancer Center, you're often in the capable hands of the very doctors who developed your specific therapy.

We currently offer more than 120 clinical trials, many of which have led to the approval of cancer drugs, including Erbitux, Avastin, Rituxan, Herceptin, Zevalin and Bexxar. Millions of people benefit from the discovery of these leading-edge monoclonal antibodies. They not only help patients at the UAB Cancer Center, but those in hospitals and cancer centers all over the nation. Although our physicians and scientists have taken great strides in the race against cancer, they continue researching every day to discover new clinical trials that will help cancer patients around the world.

If you would like to learn more or get involved, visit our website at http://www3.ccc.uab.edu/.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.