- 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…
- 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 Michelle Jackson
- Posted August 4, 2016
And Now, A Little Something For the Men Facing Hereditary Cancer
As a female genetic counselor, I can say I have counseled many men regarding their risk for hereditary cancer. I have seen the different reactions and responses they have had. I have looked for different information (from what I provided to females) to give to them, if it will help. I cannot say I have any idea what it is like to be a man going…
- By Carin Espenschied
- Posted August 3, 2016
How Laws Protect Genetic Information
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…
- By Eve Mart
- Posted July 19, 2016
Relearning to Balance
After cancer treatment, I was so relieved to be finished with the demands of treatment and ready to put the experience behind me. Ironically, I found myself feeling uncertain with what my future held. I was so fixated on a magic number… five years. In my mind, if I could just get five years out from treatment, I would be magically cured and the…
- 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 something…
- 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 Deepti Babu, MS, CGC
- Posted June 30, 2016
What Healthcare Providers Learn from Their Patients
When you go to an appointment with your healthcare provider, what do you expect? Information. Discussion. Compassion. Maybe a plan. And for good measure, a joke or two? That’s what I expect, anyway, when things are going well. That combination definitely shifts if things aren’t going well with my health. Then I expect to learn facts, offered…