Pancreatic Cancer & the BRCA gene

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

The BRCA Connection-Are Jews more vulnerable to pancreatic cancer?

Written by: Fredda Sacharow from the jewishexponent.com  follow this link for the entire article: http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/22092/

According to the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders, people who test positive for the BRCA2 gene are also at a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Also noteworthy was the information that Ashkenazic (Eastern European Jewish Descent) families who have 2 first degree relatives who have had pancreatic cancer were also at a higher risk of having the BRCA2 mutation.

It is being recommended that if you are Askenazic & have a family history of OVARIAN, BREAST or PANCREATIC CANCER you get genetic testing.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early. Symptoms could include: backaches, weight loss, appetite loss, jaundice or yellowing of skin & nausea, & stool changes. If you have symptoms–see your doctor

BRCA & PREVIVOR & SURVIVOR AWARENESS

PLEASE JOIN–AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: This week is the start of the very first Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Awareness week as well as Wednesday 9/29/10 is the very first National Previvor Day. This is what our group is about!
http://www.previvorsandsurvivors.com   & facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=295172335565
Help us spread the word by sharing this message to spread awareness.

Risk/Benefit of Breast Examinations with new technology

 BRCA NEWSWORTHY

Radiation, Risks Are Focus of Breast Screening Studies  By: Roni Caryn Rabin 8/24/10

From The New York Times.com  follow this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/science/24breast.html

I felt this article was too good not to share. .. Basically the most important information I got out of it was: “certain nuclear-based breast imaging exams that involve injecting radioactive material into patients expose women to far higher doses of radiation than regular mammography, increasing their risk of cancer in vulnerable organs beyond the breast, like the kidneys, bladder or ovaries.”

No one really knows how much radiation is too much, but they do know that it is cumulative. Different tests have different radiation exposure levels—PLEASE DISCUSS THE RISK/BENEFITS with your doctors.

Specifically this article makes us aware that the nuclear technologies breast specific gamma imaging (B.S.G.I.) and positive emission mammography (P.E.M.) are to be used in addition to traditional mammography & ultrasound screening if a suspicious lesion is found—-NOT FOR ROUTINE SCREENING!

Once again previvors & survivors…our help is needed!

My name is Sharlene Hesse‐Biber and I am a Sociologist and Professor at Boston College. I am conducting a study on women who have tested positive for the BRCA 1 and 2 genes and have stage IV breast cancer. I hope to address the issue of why women seek this genetic testing and how they respond to a positive result, as well as the roles that other people in their lives play throughout the pre‐ and post‐ testing process. I would like to set up a time to explore your experiences with genetic testing for the BRCA 1 and 2 genes. Such an

interview would take about a half hour. Your participation in this research is completely voluntary, and if you choose to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any point throughout the project. I can interview you over the phone or if you are in commuting distance I can interview you in person.

I would also like to take a moment to tell you a little more about the study. I aim to address a current lack of research on women’s experiences with genetic testing for the genes linked to breast cancer and their responses to a positive result. Some of the questions we will explore are:

• How do women seek genetic testing for breast cancer?

• What is the lived experience of women who have received a positive result? How is this affected if they have a family history of breast cancer?

• What decisions, if any, do they make once they have a positive result? Is there a difference between their immediate and long‐term decisions?

• What role do their immediate family network, close friends, and co‐workers play in their decision to get tested and in their post‐testing experience?

If you are interested in participating in this study, please email me at hesse@bc.edu. I am also happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Sharlene Hesse‐Biber

Professor, Department of Sociology, Boston College

Director, Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Boston College