• By Tameron Harvell, MSN, RN, FNP-BC
  • Posted December 22, 2016

You're Not To Blame

Editor’s Note: We are re-posting this entry by Tameron Harvell, a registered nurse practitioner, to raise the profile of “survivor’s guilt” an issue that can be particularly challenging during the holidays. You’ve just received your cancer genetic testing results and no mutation was found! What a relief to know…


  • By Dr. Dennis J Ahnen
  • Posted December 8, 2016

Here’s To Our Families

I am, appropriately, finishing this post on Family Health History Day (the fourth Thursday in November, formerly known as Thanksgiving in the U.S.). The holidays are traditionally a time to get together with family, and what better time to focus on the importance of the health history? In this spirit, I thought we could focus on how a discussion…


  • By Cynthia Rigali Lund
  • Posted December 1, 2016

Despite Cancer, Holiday Abundance Awaits

Editor's Note: This is a continuation of Cynthia's initial experience of being diagnosed with hereditary ovarian cancer in 2012, which she began to tell us in her post from September 29, 2016. With an October diagnosis, the holiday season was going to be a new experience for our family of five. Although difficult in many ways, cancer…


  • By Georgia Hurst
  • Posted November 24, 2016

Collecting Your Family’s Medical History During the Holidays

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S., and many of you will be spending a lot of time with your family – this is a stellar time to discuss collecting your family’s medical history. Multiple generations are usually present at holiday gatherings and the elders can be great sources of information about your family’s medical history. Recognizing…


  • By Emily Dalton, MS, CGC
  • Posted November 17, 2016

Why Family History Matters in Genetic Diagnosis

Editor’s Note: We are re-posting this entry by Emily Dalton, a certified genetic counselor, as National Family History Day approaches next week. Check back here to get tips from a patient advocate about collecting your family’s medical history. We’ve all heard that genetics plays a big role in the development of cancer, including…


  • By David Dubin
  • Posted November 3, 2016

Just Call Me “Above Average Dave”

“Superhero.” Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Flattering, obviously. As someone who has survived multiple cancers, still plays and coaches soccer, had his colonoscopy footage used on national television, and does a lot of public work, I’ve been given a few titles. One of them is superhero. Thanks. But I worry that people, especially others…


  • 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 abundance…


  • By Tiana Adams, PA-C, MBA
  • Posted October 6, 2016

Metastatic Breast Cancer: More Common Than You Think

Editor’s Note: In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we asked a Physician Assistant with years of experience in the field to tell us about a little-known form of breast cancer from the healthcare provider’s perspective. Next week’s post will focus on this issue from the patient advocate’s side of things. Please share to help spread


  • By Deepti Babu, MS, CGC
  • Posted August 17, 2016

The Buddy System: It works for Hereditary Cancer, Too

We’ve covered a lot of territory with this blog, so thank you for coming on the ride with us. Theresa Smith talked about her experience of sharing her genetic test results with her family, and we offered a genetic counselor’s perspective on the same idea. This time, we’re focusing more on you – we’re exploring the idea of building a support…


  • By Bill Rotter
  • Posted August 16, 2016

Attending Breast Cancer Symposiums, Conferences and Research and Advocacy Seminars will Help Keep You in the Forefront Of Your Cancer

Soon after completing all of my treatment for male breast cancer I knew I was determined to stay on top of my cancer going forward. I know there are many advancements in finding cures for all types of cancers and I am committed to learning everything possible about my cancer diagnosis. Whether it happens to be in the area of new drugs or vaccines…