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Mom's Stage 4 Cancer Vanishes After Trial
12 Apr
Summary
- A mother with a rare BRAF mutation achieved complete cancer response.
- She participated in the BREAKWATER clinical trial for her treatment.
- Cannabis medication significantly helped manage treatment side effects.
Heather Kaiser, a mother of two and an attorney, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2025 at age 42 after initial symptoms were dismissed. Her cancer was later identified as a rare BRAF V600E mutation, making it chemo-resistant with a grim prognosis of 13 months.
She enrolled in the BREAKWATER clinical trial in August 2025, becoming the first participant in Minnesota outside the trial. The treatment involved four drugs, including Braftovi, which targets cancer cells and enhances other medications. Initial side effects were severe, but oral cannabis medication proved effective for nausea and fatigue.
By October 2025, an 8-round CT scan revealed a complete response with no evidence of disease, astonishing her medical team. Despite this remarkable outcome, Kaiser continues treatment as the V600E mutation is not considered curable.
Now 43, Kaiser manages her chronic condition by integrating cancer treatment into her busy life, prioritizing motherhood and work with the support of her community. She advises others to plan their lives first and then accommodate their illness.
