Free Brain MRI Offered to Breast Cancer Patients

A diagnosis of breast cancer is a terrifying experience. Not only are there concerns with your health, but also in many cases financial worries are just as worrisome. But for one group of breast cancer patients, the Neurologic and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago is offering something that can help ease these burdens: free brain screenings.

On October 26^th and 27^th, women diagnosed with HER-2 positive Stage III or Stage IV breast cancer are eligible to take advantage of these free brain screenings. The brain MRI helps in early detection of brain metastases from advanced breast cancer and is part of a clinical trial. This brain MRI is completely free to the patient and can be priceless in the fight for life.

In order to qualify for this free brain MRI, breast cancer patients need to have an initial primary diagnosis of high risk and/or HER-2 positive breast cancer. HER-2 (or human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) is a protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells. Nearly 30 percent of breast cancer patients end up having it spread to their brain. This is why the brain MRI is so very important.

The free brain MRI trial will occur on Friday, October 26^th, from 1 to 9 p.m and Saturday, October 27^th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Neurologic and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago. The address is 4501 N. Winchester, Chicago, IL. Additional information can be obtained by going to http://www.neuro-ortho.org.

This clinical trial will not only benefit the patient, but will also allow researchers to determine the level of benefit of screening for brain metastases in patients with advanced breast cancer. Women must be within three to twenty-four months of first metastases of Stage IV diagnosis or within 12 to 24 months of initial diagnosis of HER-2 positive Stage III disease. A written consent will need to be signed and approved by the CINN Institutional Review Board.

A brain MRI can be very important in early detection of brain metastases.

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