CNN - Breast Cancer Gene Patent Lawsuit

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New Screening Updates

We recently reviewed and updated the surveillance recommendations for individuals who have Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), MYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) and HNPCC/Lynch Syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 mutations). Please contact our program to schedule an appointment to discuss these updates! Read more!

Bone marrow transplant need to save the life of 26 year-old Natash Collins, a Yale medical student

Natasha Collins is a 26 year-old Yale medical student who is batting leukemia for the second time. She needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life, but does not have a match. Natasha is half African American and half Caucasian, making her a molecular minority because her bone marrow is difficult to match. A match for Natasha is likely to also be of mixed heritage Minority and mixed heritage donors are underrepresented in the Registry. Natasha grew up in Syracuse, NY, and in addition to being a stellar student, loving daughter, and generous friend, Natasha loves to cook, knit, travel, and eat carrot cake. She has a bright future as a doctor and needs your help to make this dream come true. Please consider joining the Be the Match Registry. Free registration is available through April 30th at http://www.marrow.org with code BK041309. You can also visit the group “Become Natasha's Hero” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65568844747&ref=nf. . Read more!

Paul Ridley celebrates the completion of his solo rowing expedition across the Atlantic on March 29. His 88-day trip raised $100,000.

Row for Hope is proud to partner with Yale Cancer Center to fund cutting-edge research that is dedicated to bringing tomorrow's cancer treatments and cures to patients today. The group was founded by Paul and Joy Ridley after losing their mother to skin cancer in 2001. Row for Hope is public charity focused on funding the ongoing fight for progress in the field of cancer research. Please click on the above light blue link to read more about Paul's journey or visit www.rowforhope.com to make a donation.

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Removing the Doubt: One Woman's Choice for Bilateral Mastectomy

Thirty-six year old Karen Aulner has never been diagnosed of cancer. However, she has watched her sister fight the disease since 2000. So when Ms. Aulner tested positive for a BRCA gene mutation in 2004 she decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. Please keep in mind that this is just one of the options available to women who learn they carry a BRCA mutation. For more information about options for surveillance and risk reduction please speak with a genetic counselor and your physicians.

To read more about Ms. Aulner’s story please click on the above light blue link or visit www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/06/AR2009040602380.html Read more!

Unraveling the Next Chapter for Female BRCA carriers: Sexual Development, Body Image and Sexual Functioning

Clinical genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 has become available in the past 15 years, and it has been established that female BRCA carriers have a high lifetime risk to develop both breast and ovarian cancer. Predisposition testing makes it possible to predict risk in families and to tailor medical management accordingly. In addition to close surveillance, prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy are primary risk reduction strategies offered to BRCA carriers. Although the emphasis of research thus far has been on the efficacy of surveillance and risk reduction strategies, it has become clear that genetic testing and the resulting medical decisions around risk reduction lead to a unique set of emotional, physical, and sexual issues for female BRCA carriers and their children.

Matloff ET. Cancer J. 2009 Jan-Feb;15(1):15-8. Read more!

Promising Test Flags BRCA Mutations in Populations of Hispanic Women

In a recent small pilot study of 23 Hispanic women, Dr. Jeffrey Weitzel and colleagues found several specific mutations with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer) that appear to be more common among Hispanics. Although the sample population was small, these results are promising and may make genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome more affordable for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. The efforts to offer targeted, more affordable testing are particularly important because Myriad Genetic Laboratories hold and enforce the patent rights for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing; therefore, they control the cost of testing which has risen from $1,600 in 1998 to more than $3,100 per patient in 2009.

To read more about this article please click on the above light blue link.

Voelker R. JAMA. 2009;301(13):1326-1327. Read more!

Congresswoman Carries a BRCA2 mutation

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz recently announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and learned that she carries a BRCA2 mutation. She underwent a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy to greatly reduce the risk of a second primary breast cancer and a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

During her announcement she also proposed the EARLY Act, a national education campaign to increase awareness of breast cancer in younger women, 15-40. The bill would take into account the heightened risk some ethnic groups face – groups like Ashkenazi Jews, who are at an increased risk of carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. The legislation also provides assistance to organizations to support young women diagnosed with breast cancer and help them get the assistance they need, including social and psychological support, fertility counseling and recurrence prevention training.

To watch her interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, please click on the above light blue link or visit abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7148603

The New York Times also featured her in an article. Please visit http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/fla-congresswoman-reveals-cancer-surgeries/?scp=1&sq=Wasserman%20Schultz%20&st=cse Read more!

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Colon cancer affects ~150,000 individuals every year and is equally common in men and women. The disease, however, is largely preventable with regular screening and is treatable with early detection. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons recommends regular colorectal cancer screenings for men and women beginning at age 50. However, if you have a family history of colon cancer, you may wish to discuss early screening with your physicians. In general, individuals with a family history of colon cancer begin screening ~10 years earlier than the earliest diagnosis in their family. For more information about Colon Cancer Awareness Month please visit www.screen4coloncancer.org

Colon cancer can also be hereditary in some families, although the majority of cancers are not hereditary. We recommend that individuals consider genetic counseling if they have a personal and/or family history of any of the following:

1. Colon or endometrial cancer diagnosed before the age of 50.

2. Multiple relatives on the same side of the family with the same or related cancers (e.g. colon/uterine/ovarian)

3. More than one HNPCC cancer diagnosis in a single individual (e.g. colon and uterine, synchronous/metachronous colon cancers, colon and ovarian).

4. Individuals with greater than 15 gastrointestinal polyps, multiple polyposis or greater than 5 hamartomatous polyps.

5. Even one sebaceous carcinoma or adenoma.

6. Colon or endometrial cancer that has an abnormal MSI or IHC; or

7. Known genetic mutation in the family (HNPCC, FAP, etc.).

To learn more about genetic counseling and testing please visit our program web site by clicking on the above light blue link or by visiting www.yalecancercenter.org/genetics/. You may also wish to visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors website at nsgc.org to find a counselor closer to where you live. Read more!

Row for Hope

On January 1st at 6 AM, Paul Ridley began his 2950-mile, solo, unsupported, trans-Atlantic journey rowing from the Canary Islands to Antigua with the goal of raising $500,000 for Yale Cancer Center. He is now on his 71st day of rowing and hopes to reach Antigua at the end of the month. Visit Paul's blog by clicking on the above light blue link or by visiting solorow.blogspot.com. Additional information about his journey can also be found at yalecancercenter.org/news/2008stories/row.html or on Yale Cancer Center Answers at yalecancercenter.org/answers/archives.html (Airdate - November 23rd) Read more!