- By Georgia Hurst
- Posted August 1, 2016
Possible and Unexpected Outcomes of Genetic Testing- Benefits of Having a Knowledgeable Healthcare Provider
In my opinion, as an advocate for those with hereditary cancer syndromes, undergoing genetic testing without the guidance of a certified genetic counselor ge·net·ic coun·sel·or A healthcare professional with specialized graduate training in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors provide information and support to…
- By Carin Espenschied
- Posted July 27, 2016
A Few Words on Colectomies
As a genetic counselor, I cannot go into a lot of detail regarding what it’s like to have a colectomy, but I want to provide a little bit of background to Travis’ fantastic and very frank post, this week. A colectomy is a surgery to remove the large intestine, or colon. A colectomy may be used as part of the treatment for someone who has colorectal…
- By Travis Bray
- Posted July 25, 2016
Some Things Change...Some Don't
As I write this, I am aboard a plane returning home from Baltimore following a meeting with the Food and Drug Administration. Joined by a panel of experts in hereditary colon cancer, including Steve Erdman, MD (Pediatric gastroenterologist; The Ohio State University College of Medicine), Heather Hampel, MS, CGC (Genetic counselor; The Ohio State…
- By Deepti Babu, MS, CGC
- Posted July 20, 2016
It's Complicated: Sharing Your Genetic Test Results
I feel funny writing about sharing genetic test results with family when I’ve never done it myself, but don’t let that stop you from reading… I’ll draw upon my years in the clinic as a genetic counselor, speaking to many families about this topic, and offer thoughts from my side of the table. I have seen that it’s complicated for some…
- By David Dubin
- Posted July 18, 2016
Sharing The Story With the World, Starting With Family
People often have a Utopian set of expectations whenever family reunions take place. They envision a Rockwell painting where kids behave and adults get along. In reality, you’re getting together with family you may or may not have seen in months, if not longer, and the actual reunion may not meet these expectations. Often, one or more people…
- By Dr. Dennis J Ahnen
- Posted July 6, 2016
Colonoscopy: What to Expect, Plus a Few Tips
Colonoscopy is central to the care plan for families with hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) syndromes, as Georgia Hurst mentioned in her earlier post. Colonoscopic screening is the major means for prevention and early detection of CRC in this setting. It is worth highlighting what you can and should expect when getting a colonoscopy. It is…
- By Georgia Hurst
- Posted July 4, 2016
Adjusting to Frequent Colonoscopies
I have Lynch syndrome and a strong family history of early onset colon cancer. Therefore, I must have annual colonoscopies. After my brother died at the age of 36 from colon cancer, I gladly began having colonoscopies every couple of years – way before I even knew I had Lynch syndrome. Just last month I had my 14th colonoscopy and had my first…
- By Emily Dalton, MS, CGC
- Posted June 29, 2016
Importance of Family History in Genetic Diagnosis
We’ve all heard that genetics plays a big role in the development of cancer, including both your individual genetics and changes acquired over your lifetime, as well as the genetics of what may be running in your family. Family history is one of the most important tools that providers use when estimating your lifetime risk to develop cancer,…
- By David Dubin
- Posted June 28, 2016
Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Family Tree
My family history has played a huge part in the perception of cancer awareness from a number of facets. The most notable way is the perception that colon cancer is an “old man’s disease.” While I may be older now, the fact that I was 29 when I developed colon cancer (the first time) makes people stop and think, even if they don’t necessarily…
- By Carin Espenschied
- Posted June 22, 2016
Decisions, Decisions: What To Consider When Deciding On Risk Reducing Surgery
If you have been diagnosed with an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome, your healthcare provider may have recommended that you consider having risk reducing surgery. Risk reducing colectomy is the removal of part (partial colectomy) or all (total colectomy) of the colon to reduce the risk of developing future cancer. Risk reducing hysterectomy…