Genetic Testing in Women with a History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer

18 August 2017 Approximately 15%  of women diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer will be found to carry a mutation in one or more genes that predisposes to the cancer. The most familiar are the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. These are tumor suppressor genes, if mutated, they do not function properly and can result in a higher likelihood…

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Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer

7 February 2017 A research letter recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients diagnosed with breast cancer were not appropriately referred for genetic counseling and testing. The researchers used the SEER Registry to study the records of patients diagnosed between July 2013 – September 2014. Registry patients in the state of Georgia and Los…

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Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, BRCA Testing, PinkWashing, and More!

16 October 2013 This is one of my most comprehensive interviews to date. It aired on Santa Clarita Valley TV and I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics, including breast self-exams, male breast cancer, genetic testing for breast cancer, “pink washing” and more! Many thanks to SCVTV as well as Tami Edwards and Dave Caldwell, for spending…

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BRCA Gene Testing and Prophylactic Mastectomy

14 May 2013 BRCA gene testing and prophylactic mastectomy were thrust into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie announced in May 2013 that she tested positive for a BRCA mutation and underwent preventative surgery. The interview below discusses who should be tested, and some of the issues to consider regarding prophylactic surgery.

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No Easy Choices on Breast Reconstruction

10 May 2013 Angelina Jolie’s decision to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy has prompted a lot of interest in the options available for immediate reconstruction. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions regarding the extent of surgery, the recovery time needed, and the potential for complications. The following article appeared in the New York Times on 05/10/2013 and discusses the complicated issue…

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