Pamela Thomas-Hall
Pamela Thomas-Hall was a stickler for her annual checkups and doctor appointments until the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Every year on her birthday, as a present to herself, should would get a complete checkup. But her annual mammogram was canceled in March 2020 because of the pandemic. Previously, Pamela had a complete checkup every year for her birthday since her teenage years. Due to the pandemic, her yearly mammogram was canceled in March 2020.
“I said to myself, now, watch me be one of those people that fall through the cracks,” she recalled.
Two years later, she felt a lump in her left breast and still had not had her mammogram.
Pamela was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer on March 8, 2022, her birthday. Shortly after her diagnosis, she started treatments and finished up in November of 2023.
“I was presented with an opportunity to be in a trial at that time, and I accepted it for several reasons. The primary reason is my granddaughter. And if I could do anything to make sure she doesn't have to go through this journey, then I accepted being in a trial,” she said.
The clinical trial laid out a plan that worked for her, and the clinical trial coordinators answered all her questions. She is especially grateful to her UI Health oncologist, Kent Hoskins, MD, for helping to ease her fear.
As a result, Pamela shares her experiences being on a clinical trial with anyone who will listen. She encourages them to consider clinical trials, and she advises anyone considering a clinical trial to talk to their friends, family and doctors.
