Just as no two cancers are the same, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all — and for one Arizona mother and teacher, personalized chemotherapy became the path to survival.

Tammy Morrow, 55, had been healthy for decades when, after seeing a doctor for what she thought was a stomach bug in December 2023, she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

The cancer had spread to her bones, lymph nodes, liver and other areas, she told Fox News Digital. It became evident fairly quickly that her disease was beyond the scope of traditional treatments.

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“I received one round of traditional chemo in the hospital,” said Morrow, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. “After just the one treatment, all of my hair fell out within just eight days.”

“The rapid hair loss demonstrates the systemic nature and toxicity of traditional chemo,” she added.

Morrow’s oncologist told her that she likely only had months to live, but she was determined to find another alternative.

Through her research, she found Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, which offers a novel cancer treatment called Genetically Targeted Fractionated Chemotherapy (GTFC).

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“When I arrived at Envita, I was not taking in food orally, and for almost three months, I had to receive all of my nutrition from a catheter delivered directly into my veins,” Morrow said.

She began receiving GTFC treatments, which she credits as “essential to survival.”

“In just 21 weeks, my diagnosis changed from terminal to normal.”

“I am persuaded that I would not be alive today if I had not received care at Envita,” Morrow told Fox News Digital. 

“Now, I am thriving.”

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Morrow’s last several blood tests have shown no evidence of disease, and her most recent PET scan in May confirmed that she is cancer-free.

“In just 21 weeks, my diagnosis changed from terminal to normal,” she said.

Making it personal

Genetically targeted fractionated chemotherapy (GTFC) is a targeted approach to cancer treatment that personalizes chemotherapy based on a patient’s genetic makeup and specific tumor biology, according to Dr. John Oertle, chief medical director at Envita Medical Centers. 

Tammy Morrow is pictured with her husband, Derek Morrow, before her diagnosis. (Tammy Morrow)

“This method also enhances the tumor’s ability to absorb the chemotherapy, allowing us to use reduced dosages while maintaining effectiveness,” Oertle, who specializes in “individualized, outcome-based care models for chronic disease and integrative oncology,” told Fox News Digital.

GTFC is designed to deliver medicine with more precision while having fewer side effects, he noted.

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“Conventional chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells, both cancerous and healthy, using high doses, which often leads to widespread side effects,” Oertle said. 

“Additionally, we have found that 90% of patients on conventional chemotherapy are dealing with cancer that has already become resistant to it.”

Morrow had been healthy for decades when, after seeing a doctor for what she thought was a stomach bug in December 2023, she was blindsided by a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. (Tammy Morrow)

GTFC is designed to specifically target cancer cells with genetic mutations, he said, so that more chemo gets into the tumor.

“While only 5% to 7% of conventional chemotherapy administered through an IV typically reaches the tumor, GTFC significantly improves this uptake,” Oertle said.

“As a result, we can reduce the overall dosage and administer treatment more frequently.”

“Not only are these specific treatments resulting in better outcomes, they are less harmful as well.”

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier, who is not associated with Envita, referred to GTFC as “the future of cancer treatment.”

“Historically, we depended on traditional chemotherapy to kill cancer cells,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“Unfortunately, traditional chemotherapy isn’t very specific, so while it killed cancer cells, it also killed healthy cells.” 

In the midst of cancer treatments, as she began losing her hair, Morrow had a friend give her a haircut. (Tammy Morrow)

Because of this limitation, traditional chemo can have “severe” short-term and long-term side effects, Saphier confirmed.

“GTFC is a targeted therapy, which is a type of cancer treatment that’s designed to attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone,” she went on. 

“Not only are these specific treatments resulting in better outcomes, they are less harmful as well.”

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While there are some possible side effects with GTFC, they are “significantly fewer” than with traditional chemo, Oertle said.

“Many patients are even able to maintain their hair,” he added.

Morrow, seen here with a few of her fitness friends at the gym, was an avid health and wellness enthusiast before getting diagnosed. (Tammy Morrow)

In Morrow’s case, she said her side effects were “minimal,” even after receiving GTFC chemo treatments once or twice every week for 21 weeks.

Her main side effects were weakness and digestive issues for a day or two after the treatment.

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“I was even able to work full-time during my treatment,” she said. “On a couple of occasions, I virtually attended work meetings while receiving the chemo treatments.”

Who can get GTFC?

In addition to breast cancer, GTFC can be an option for any type of cancer that needs systemic therapy, according to Oertle.

“For early-stage cancers, we utilize advanced blood tests to ensure that the disease has not spread,” he said. 

“I pray that one day, I will have the money to help others receive care at Envita,” Morrow said. (Tammy Morrow)

“If the cancer remains localized, we offer other precision-based, less invasive treatments that may eliminate the need for GTFC. However, for cancers that have spread beyond the initial tumor, GTFC may be an effective treatment option.”

“Most people simply cannot afford to pay for this type of medical care.”

There are some barriers to receiving this type of chemo, however.

“It is very difficult to receive this care because no insurance company in America will cover the advanced and targeted integrated care Envita offers,” Morrow told Fox News Digital. 

“Even though the chemotherapy drugs I received at Envita are a part of the normal medical protocol, because the method of delivering these chemotherapy drugs is not normal, my insurance company refused to cover any of it.”

While there are some possible side effects with GTFC, they are “significantly fewer” than with traditional chemo, an expert said. (iStock)

Morrow paid nearly $250,000 out of pocket for her chemo treatments. 

“Most people simply cannot afford to pay for this type of medical care — and I could not have afforded it, either,” she said.

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To cover the cost, Morrow’s two sons started a GoFundMe and raised almost $120,000, and Morrow and her husband took out a second mortgage to cover the rest.

“I would encourage people to not let the cost prevent them from seeking out this innovative and life-saving approach to cancer care,” Morrow urged. 

In addition to breast cancer, GTFC can be an option for any type of cancer that needs systemic therapy. (iStock)

“I pray that one day, I will have the money to help others receive care at Envita. In the meantime, my husband and I have two guest bedrooms waiting to be filled by out-of-town patients.”

Envita includes the below disclaimer on its website.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“Disclaimer: Individual results will vary. Envita makes no guarantees for outcomes. Each patient’s case is unique. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment. Not every patient is a candidate for care or achieves these results. Treatments used in this case may not all be FDA-approved for the treatment of this condition.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA requesting comment.

A prior COVID infection could make you more susceptible to heart attack, stroke or death, according to a new study from Cleveland Clinic and the University of Southern California.

The risk of a major cardiac event doubled for the three-year period following a positive COVID test, researchers found — even for those with no history of heart disease.

The researchers analyzed data from 10,005 people 50 and older who had COVID and 217,730 who did not contract the virus, pulled from UK Biobank between February and December 2020.

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The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

“These studies add to the growing body of data showing that COVID-19 infection can enhance risk for experiencing adverse cardiac events over time,” co-senior study author Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD, chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences in Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute and co-section head of preventive cardiology, told Fox News Digital.

The researchers were surprised to find that the increased risk remained the same over the three-year period. 

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“The twofold increased risk observed in year one following infection was also seen in year two and even year three,” Hazen noted.

“This was seen in all subjects, independent of age, sex or risk factors for cardiac disease.”

Those who had more adverse symptoms experienced a slightly higher risk than those with milder symptoms.

The researchers were surprised to find that the increased risk remained the same over the three-year period.  (iStock)

“Specifically, subjects who had severe COVID-19 infection and required hospitalization were at even higher risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event (MACE=myocardial infarction, stroke or death) over the ensuing three years of follow-up,” Hazen said.

Blood type also appeared to impact the risk, the study found.

People with a blood type other than O — such as A, B or AB — had double the risk of a major cardiac event than those with an O blood type.

“This study confirms what many of us have seen anecdotally over the past five years.”

Those with O blood have also been shown to have a higher likelihood of getting a COVID infection.

“Given our collective observations and that 60% of the world’s population have these non-O blood types, our study raises important questions about whether more aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction efforts should be considered, possibly by taking into consideration an individual’s genetic makeup,” Hazen said in a press release.

Based on these findings, the researchers recommend that medical providers consider COVID-19 as a risk factor for heart disease.  (iStock)

Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, was not involved in the research but commented on the “interesting” findings.

“This study confirms what many of us have seen anecdotally over the past five years,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“Since the outbreak began, we have seen cardiac complications to include inflammation of the heart, a propensity to form blood clots and an increase in abnormal heart rhythms, particularly atrial fibrillation.” 

“The lead author, Dr. Hazen, has some fascinating theories that I assume will be tested in the future.”

Reducing the risk

Based on these findings, Hazen recommends that medical providers consider COVID-19 as a risk factor for heart disease. 

“Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide,” he noted.

People with a blood type other than O — such as A, B or AB — had double the risk of a major cardiac event than those with an O blood type. (iStock)

“With over a billion individuals worldwide having experienced COVID-19 thus far, these studies argue that this is not a small problem — and I hope this serves as a reminder to address global preventive cardiovascular risk-reducing efforts.”

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Among those efforts are monitoring cholesterol levels and blood pressure, adopting an exercise program, and being more mindful of diet.

Doctors recommend monitoring cholesterol levels and blood pressure, adopting an exercise program, and being more mindful of diet to reduce risk. (iStock)

“Please let this study be a reminder — if you are 50 or older and have experienced COVID, ask if you can do anything further to reduce your cardiac risk,” Hazen advised. 

“Also, make sure to stay current with your COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.”

More research needed, experts agree

The study did have some limitations, experts acknowledged.

“These findings signal the need for further investigation,” Hazen said. 

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“A better understanding of what COVID-19 does at the molecular level may potentially teach us about pathways linked to cardiovascular disease risk.”

Serwer agreed, adding, “This study shows an association, but does not prove causality.”

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