Cancer Archives - Gene Cuisine: satisfying your appetite for genetic news and information

CHEK2-Associated Cancer Risk and Screening Recommendation Updates

Cancer, Genetic Counseling, Genetic Testing, Health / By blogAdmin

Until last week, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines reported that CHEK2 pathogenic variants (or risk-increasing genetic differences) are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, citing a 5%-10% lifetime risk. NCCN recommended that carriers of a CHEK2 pathogenic variant begin colonoscopy screening earlier than typically recommended, at age 40, and repeat this screening …

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Silhouettes of 44 people encircle the text, “Updated 23andMe test still misses moist people with BRCA1/2 hereditary cancer risks”. About 1 in 4 of the people are colored in red and the rest are colored in pink. The pink silhouette is intended to represent people who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variant that would be missed by the 23andMe test.

The Value of Knowledge and the Cost of False Reassurance: Understanding the Updates to 23andMe’s BRCA Genetic Testing

Cancer, Genetic Testing, News / By blogAdmin

The recent update to 23andMe’s DTC test in September 2023 expanded their BRCA1/2 analysis to detect a total of 44 specific variants, including those evaluated previously1. This certainly will increase the detection of genetic variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for individuals beyond those who are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. However, given that there are thousands of genetic variants in these two genes that are associated with hereditary cancer risks, it is important to recognize that the updated 23andMe test will still miss the majority of people with BRCA-associated hereditary cancer risks.

BRCA2 on the TODAY Show: Jill Martin’s Story

Advocacy, Cancer, Genetic Counseling, News / By Katie Stoll

Photo credit Jill Martin Instagram A couple weeks ago, I received a message in a group text chat with friends and patient advocates. Janet wrote, “Jill Martin is sharing our message of inheriting mutations from our fathers!” Her sister Eileen shared, “I just watched it. It really touches home.” Jill Martin, lifestyle contributor of the …

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Cobie Whitten: A Tireless Advocate for Supporting Cancer Patients Brings Her Passion for Understanding the Psycho-Emotional Impacts of Health to GSF

Advocacy, Cancer, Genetic Counseling / By blogAdmin

We are pleased to highlight board member, Dr. Cobie Whitten, who brings her experience and passion as a patient advocate to the Genetic Support Foundation. For more than 30 years, Cobie Whitten has worked tirelessly to support patients facing a cancer diagnosis and improve survivorship services for those patients and their families at all points …

Cobie Whitten: A Tireless Advocate for Supporting Cancer Patients Brings Her Passion for Understanding the Psycho-Emotional Impacts of Health to GSF Read More »

Cancer Prevention: 3 Steps to Take Today

Cancer / By Nikki McCoy

Each year, cancer affects millions of people worldwide. In the U.S. nearly 40 percent of men and women will develop cancer in their lifetime. While developing cancer can be a concern, for many people, cancer can be prevented. Here are three ways to approach cancer prevention: 1. Know your family history. Research around hereditary cancer …

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Cancer Coping: Living with Uncertainty

Cancer / By Guest Blogger

Written By: Cobie Whitten, PhD While uncertainty is inevitable, it is hard. We yearn for certainty and security about the future. This is especially true after we have encountered a potential threat to our health or well-being. The more we resist the uncertainty, the more pain we experience. By acknowledging and even accepting the unanswered questions and …

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Chadwick Boseman and Colon Cancer: The World Knew No Better

Cancer / By Jerri Cheung

This one hit differently. In 2016, I received the ecstatic news of being accepted into my Genetic Counseling Graduate Program at the University of Minnesota. In 2016, Chadwick Boseman received the devastating news of being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. It would take 4 years for the world to find out. In 2018, I …

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person wears hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for protection against skin cancer

Understanding Melanoma: Genetic and Environmental Factors

Cancer, Genetic Testing / By blogAdmin

Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer, with most skin cancers being basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell cancers. More rare are melanomas, which are a more serious type of skin cancer. Although they make up only 1% of all skin cancer diagnoses, melanoma is responsible for the most skin cancer deaths. What …

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Must-Reads for Women with Hereditary Cancer Risk

Cancer, Genetic Counseling / By Nikki McCoy

In the world of genetics, we often use the term Knowledge is Power. Gaining that knowledge usually starts with a genetic counseling appointment, then spreads into research, support groups, podcasts, you name it. When it comes to those of us with hereditary cancer risk, we can often be hungry for even more knowledge. One of …

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I Have a BRCA1 Gene Mutation: The Extra Stress of COVID-19 Takes a Toll

Cancer / By Nikki McCoy

An extra element of stress has creeped into all our lives. We’ve made way for the coronavirus to take the foreground–adjusting our work, family, and social lives to fit into society’s larger efforts to curb this wild pandemic. This is a natural response. It’s imperative that we keep ourselves and loved ones healthy. We’ve been …

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