Veterans at Milwaukee VA step up to aid cancer clinical trials

Of the 132 VA facilities that contribute to the Cancer Registry, Milwaukee ranks in the top three for the number of Veterans enrolled in National Cancer Trials Network studies.

And that’s due in large part to a dedicated team that integrates the trials into ongoing treatment discussions, emphasizing the benefits to not only other Veterans but to the world at large.

“It’s focusing in on the best treatments for the patients,” said Amber Bishop, cancer research regulatory specialist.

A cancer diagnosis carries its own burden. When Veterans are asked if they want to take part in a trial or study, the team takes the time to provide the necessary education to be sure they understand what it means to participate in a clinical trial. The Veteran decides whether a trial is right for them.

“We never push; we just inform,” she said. “We try to educate them as thoroughly as we can so they understand what the study will mean for them and how it may impact their treatment and why we’re doing it.”

But most Veterans are glad to step up.

Some 60 percent of Veterans that meet eligibility criteria and are approached by the team say yes, Bishop said, which is much higher than the private sector. In fact, the Commission on Cancer’s requirement for trial participation is only 3 percent of all patients with a new cancer diagnosis, regardless if they are eligible or not. In 2024, the Milwaukee VA team enrolled 13 percent.

“It is the mentality of ‘One Team, One Fight,’” said Bishop, who is also a Veteran. “They don’t do it for personal gain. They do it to help other Veterans. It’s a beautiful concept. And most don’t even second-guess it. They say, ‘If this is a trial that will help fellow Veterans in the future, I want to do it.’”

Not going it alone

When Veterans say yes, they don’t go it alone. The team makes it as easy as possible for patients and the medical team — handling paperwork and tracking all the requirements so the doctors and patients can concentrate on treatment.

“This is all patient-centered,” Bishop said, noting VA has been recognized nationally for its approach to patient care. 

The approach led the team’s lead nurse Kayla Neuendorf to coin the slogan “Go on study, get a buddy.”

“You really do get a partner when you’re going through your cancer treatment,” said program specialist Monica Elleseg.

That partner is typically a nurse who acts as a “personal navigator,” physician Dr. Adam Currey said — contacting doctors and related departments and answering all questions the Veteran may have. The partner sticks with the Veteran throughout their cancer journey.

It’s a personal touch that makes a huge difference, Bishop said.

“The Veterans truly appreciate that,” she said.

Leading the way

At the end of 2024, the Milwaukee VA had 26 cancer trials open, covering specialties and doctors throughout the hospital, Bishop said. The number of patients involved has gone from 22 in 2022 to 64 last year.

While a clinical cancer trial could focus on a cutting-edge treatment, some look at screening for cancer, while others focus on quality-of-life issues, said Dr. Elizabeth Gore, section chief for radiation oncology at the Milwaukee VA. Some also look at different approaches, such as frequency of radiation treatments or other therapies.

For instance, Gore said one study underway centers on the benefits of radiation vs. surgery for early stage lung cancer.

“The field is changing so rapidly; there’s always something new as part of standard practice,” Gore said, noting that the trials are vital to learning how to better treat cancers and improve outcomes for patients.

To that end, the goal at the Milwaukee VA is to give Veterans access to as many clinical cancer trials as possible.

“The main purpose is being sure that Veterans have access to the highest level of care, which includes clinical trials,” she said. “We’re always trying to get better, to find the next best treatment for the patients.”

Gore said VA has been committed to cancer trials for 50-plus years, and such longevity has yielded positive results.

“The VA, because of the Veterans’ contributions and willingness to be on trials, has really advanced the science and has participated in improving how we treat cancer,” Gore said. “It’s borne out. So when someone asks, ‘Is this going to help people in the future?’ the answer is ‘Absolutely.’ It’s changing the way we manage cancer.”

A commitment to research

The team at the Milwaukee VA is dedicated to doing whatever it can to boost cancer research that will improve cancer care for Veterans.

“We really love what we do,” Gore said. “We’re all on board because we believe in the science and the studies we’re doing.”

Bishop agreed.

“This is so important. This is a vital part of cancer treatment,” she said.