- By Ashley Thompson
- Posted September 14, 2023
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Spotlight: Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation
Norma was a healthy, active 65-year-old woman who was rarely sick and had always been proactive about her health. She went to her internist complaining of weight gain, abdominal discomfort, and a chronic cough. When the diagnosis was finally made, Norma had stage 4 ovarian cancer. She endured nine hours of surgery, countless rounds of chemotherapy, …
- By Rena Pressman, MS, CGC
- Posted July 17, 2018
5 Benefits I Learned from Fragile X Patients and Their Families
July is National Fragile X Awareness month. After spending the past two days speaking with those impacted by Fragile X syndrome including patients, parents and world-renowned experts at the 16th International Fragile X conference, I’ve learned there are 5 important and often overlooked benefits of having a Fragile X syndrome diagnosis. 1- …
- By Tiffany Au
- Posted April 6, 2017
What is Life Like for Someone with Autism? (Part 1 of 2)
Editor’s Note: To help support National Autism Awareness Month, we are sharing our interview with Kieran Best, a 14-year-old young man with an autism spectrum disorder. Kieran graciously shared insights into what his day-to-day life is like and offered words of wisdom to others who may be in his situation. Check back in two weeks to read our …
- By Jackie Connor
- Posted March 14, 2017
Four Reasons Why Genetic Testing Matters to the Individual with Colorectal Cancer
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, and more than 95,000 new cases of colon cancer and 39,000 new cases of rectal cancer are estimated for 2017, according to the American Cancer Society. Up to 10% of colorectal cancer is hereditary, or caused by inherited gene mutations. Hereditary …
- By Jacqueline Washle
- Posted October 27, 2016
Surfing for Breast Cancer Awareness
It seems as though breast cancer awareness is all over the media these days. Pink ribbons are exceptionally easy to find, and it is with good reason. About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. Let that sink in for a minute. That really puts it into perspective! At Ambry Genetics, we are determined to lower that statistic …
- By Eve Mart
- Posted October 13, 2016
Metastatic Breast Cancer - A Lack of Awareness and The Hurt it Causes
Editor’s Note: In honor of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, we are re-posting Eve Mart's piece on metastatic breast cancer to share her perspective as a patient advocate. Please share to help spread awareness. During the past 30 years, there has been a cultural shift in breast cancer advocacy and awareness activities. An …
- By Cynthia Rigali Lund
- Posted September 29, 2016
In The Beginning: My Ovaries Were Talking, but I Wasn't Listening
What a perfect time to begin my story — we are in the middle of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, as well as National HBOC (hereditary breast and ovarian cancer) Week. I love when things line up like it was all meant to be… Things did not line up for me in October of 2012. While preparing funeral arrangements for my dad …
- By Eve Mart
- Posted August 30, 2016
Metastatic Breast Cancer – a Lack of Awareness and the Hurt it Causes
During the past 30 years, there has been a cultural shift in breast cancer advocacy and awareness activities. An abundance of education efforts, as well as information and news coverage, have made breast cancer a familiar disease. There have also been significant strides made in early detection, research, treatment and patient empowerment during …
- By Aaron Schmidt
- Posted August 11, 2016
How Can You Use Social Media
Today, thanks to hectic work schedules and other increasing demands on everyone’s time, we are turning to social media for human interaction outside of the workplace. In turn, social media has become an important place for many to find others they can bond with over shared interests and experiences. As blogger Eve Mart pointed out earlier this …
- By Eve Mart
- Posted August 9, 2016
Why Social Media Is Important For People With Breast Cancer
I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t read many blogs or follow people’s cancer experiences on social media, but I do see the value in them. Networks built around cancer – whether through Facebook, Twitter, blogs or hosted communities – have a particularly active presence in healthcare social media. During the past few years, through Facebook, …
- By Tiana Adams, PA-C, MBA
- Posted July 7, 2016
You Need to Know These: Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
My name is Tiana Adams, and I am a practicing Physician Assistant with 18 years of clinical experience. During this time I have worked in many specialties, including Family Practice, Urgent Care, Occupational Medicine, Orthopedics and Breast Cancer Surgery. Currently, I am the Oncology Operations Specialist at Ambry. Moving into this role is …
- By Jessica Profato, MS, CGC
- Posted June 2, 2016
How We Can Increase Awareness Of Male Breast Cancer
It has been mentioned in previous posts that there is limited awareness about the fact that men can get breast cancer, and that this limits the options men have for support. It only makes sense for us to consider how we in the medical community, as well as society in general, can do a better job of this – raising the profile for male breast …
- By Travis Bray
- Posted May 18, 2016
A Brief History of Travis Bray
My story is one familiar to many in our community… but with a twist. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) started in my family when my grandfather was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer at the age of 36. Three of his six children, including my father, were later found to have FAP. My mom suspected I had FAP as a toddler, although I wasn’t …
- By Georgia Hurst
- Posted May 9, 2016
No Mud, No Lotus
Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh believes if people face and embrace their suffering, they will eventually grow from it and possibly turn it into something beautiful and meaningful... Hence the phrase: No mud, no lotus. Five years ago after I was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, I found myself mired in mud – I had no idea what would emerge …
- By Bill Rotter
- Posted April 26, 2016
Sharing My Diagnosis and Genetic Testing With Family and Friends
While it’s difficult for anyone to come to grips with a cancer diagnosis, it becomes more challenging having to share the news with family and friends. Especially when you are a man telling them you have breast cancer. People may look at you with a deer in the headlights stare….men get breast cancer? This was the reaction from many, as …
- By Eve Mart
- Posted April 19, 2016
Ride Marshaling at YSC Tour de Pink South
As I said in my last post: ”Breast cancer survivors share a connection, and I’ve come to learn that in some unconscious way by helping others, I’m helping myself to heal and spin a positive out of something that was negative.” This past weekend, I had the honor of ride marshaling at the Young Survival Coalition’s (YSC’s) inaugural Tour …
- By Bill Rotter
- Posted April 12, 2016
A Male Breast Cancer Perspective
Cancer is a difficult and tricky disease that tries to destroy us but now we are better prepared to fight back due to a stronger understanding of the disease. Cancer does not discriminate. As a male, the day I learned I had breast cancer was one of total disbelief and overwhelming shock. A diagnosis I was not prepared for. Sure, I knew men …
- By Eve Mart
- Posted January 6, 2016
Being Your Own Healthcare Advocate
There is no manual to this cancer thing. I quickly learned that I would have to be my own best advocate. In my case, my primary healthcare physician wasn't involved in the course of my cancer treatment. Maybe my situation was atypical, given that my radiologist was the father of a close friend. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer and the pathology …