Clinical trial, team approach help breast cancer patient survive and thrive

Synopsis: As an in-demand expert in sports and health psychology, Michele Kerulis has dedicated her career to helping others. But two years ago, when she learned she had stage 3, triple-negative breast cancer, she had to turn to others for help. “I felt scared and completely overwhelmed,” said Kerulis, an athlete, fitness professional and therapist. Her family and friends surrounded her with love and support. One friend — Kerulis refers to her as “my oncologist finder” — took on the task of finding breast cancer care in Chicago. Online research led to the University of Chicago Medicine. The breast cancer team at UChicago Medicine offers an integrated approach, with expertise across the full spectrum of care. Specialists work together to create a personalized treatment plan that emphasizes not only survival but also quality of life. Because UChicago Medicine is a leading site for breast cancer clinical trials, patients have greater access to new treatments, often before they are avai