If you knew you were dying of breast cancer, and your doctor told you that you could make a major contribution to science if you agreed, upon your death, to have a rapid autopsy done, would you sign up?
The purpose of a rapid autopsy, which is done only minutes after death, is to study how and why your cancer cells traveled from the breast to other organs. How did those cells get there?
The goal is to prevent cancer cells in the future from traveling inside the bodies of other women with this disease. Because, let's face it, if breast cancer never made it out of the breast, no woman would ever die of it.
This is one kind of groundbreaking research that's being done here at Johns Hopkins, and I'm fortunate to be in on the ground floor of it. Women are agreeing — some are even volunteering — to enroll in our study so that, within minutes of their passing, the organs where the cancer traveled to can be harvested and then studied in the pathology lab.
A rapid autopsy does not delay a woman's body from reaching the funeral home and, from the funeral director's perspective, the body is in the same condition as it would be if no autopsy had been performed.
Over 90 percent of the women we have approached so far have agreed to a rapid autopsy after death. Amazing! They want to do their part to save the next generations — their daughters and granddaughters and beyond.
As a patient advocate on the research committee, I have made it my goal to ensure that our volunteers die with dignity, that they fully understand what the research is for, and that their families also understand and agree to the rapid autopsy.
But, that said, I know there are plenty of reasons why a woman may decide she doesn't want to get involved in such a study. She may be feeling overwhelmed and doesn't want to make any more decisions. She may have religious or cultural objections. Her family may not feel comfortable with the idea. And I'm sure there are other reasons that remain unsaid.
A rapid autopsy is an incredible way to help us ensure that our grandchildren can see this scourge of breast cancer listed, along with polio, in the chapter titled "Diseases We Have Cured." Would you sign up if you were ever in such a situation? I would. If you wouldn't, please tell me why so I can learn from you.
