- By Tara Namey, MS, LCGC
- Posted July 28, 2016
What to Expect Regarding Your Health Care Following the Identification of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Gene Mutation
When you learn that you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, there are naturally questions as to what this will mean for your ongoing medical care and what you will need to do differently. The initial conversation with your healthcare provider will likely include a discussion about the options available to more carefully screen…
- By Carin Espenschied
- Posted June 8, 2016
What Happens When I Get My Test Results
Learning the results of genetic testing can be a stressful experience for some, but it also has the potential to be empowering. If you are waiting for your genetic test results to come back or are considering having genetic testing in the future, hopefully the information in this blog will ease some of the concern you may be experiencing. I hope…
- By Georgia Hurst
- Posted June 6, 2016
The Importance of Genetic Counseling With Genetic Testing
As I sit in the hereditary cancer trenches, I see the negative effects of genetic testing sans certified genetic counseling every single day – and it is an enormous problem. Many of the fears and concerns that people discuss with me could be addressed and ameliorated simply if they spoke with a certified genetic counselor before and…
- By Carin Espenschied
- Posted May 16, 2016
Adding Gastrointestinal Cancer Topics to our Blog
My name is Carin and I’m a genetic counselor at Ambry Genetics. I’ve been working at Ambry for about 2½ years and before that I worked as a clinical genetic counselor seeing patients at a cancer hospital for over six years. I have always had a special interest in hereditary gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Gastrointestinal cancers, the most…
- 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 Theresa Smith
- Posted April 28, 2016
What About The Men? Time For Us To " Man Up"
For a woman being diagnosed with a BRCA2 gene mutation, there is a ton of information specific to cancers for women, but what if you are a man? The amount regarding male breast cancer, hereditary prostate cancer, and hereditary pancreatic cancer is limited. In addition, public awareness about these conditions is limited. Considering that…
- 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 nearly…
- By Theresa Smith
- Posted April 22, 2016
Previvor’s Perspective – A Daughter’s Feelings
It was a year after I had tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation before I found out about the status of my three children. My oldest, my son, and my youngest daughter were both negative (huge relief). My middle daughter, Jenna, unfortunately tested positive for the same mutation I have. She is 23 years old now and is graduating from…
- By Michelle Jackson
- Posted April 14, 2016
Male breast cancer is rare, but it’s not that rarely inherited
When I was a clinical genetic counselor, I met with many men who had been diagnosed with breast cancer for genetic counseling and genetic testing. Counseling male breast cancer patients about genetics was often very different for me than counseling female breast cancer patients. I think the main reason for that is men and women are different and…
- By Carin Espenschied
- Posted March 24, 2016
How Laws Protect Genetic Information ( Original)
There are many different things to consider when deciding whether to have genetic testing. In addition to the impact of the test results on your physical and emotional health and that of your family members (more on that here), you should also consider your insurance coverage and the possibility of discrimination. When I met with patients as a…