"Closer to Free" Bike Ride September 8, 2012

Click on the above link to learn more about Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center's Closer to Free Bike Ride. Smilow is Southern New England’s premiere cancer hospital and the Ride is our signature fundraising event. Riders and volunteers are passionate about Smilow and the incredible work that’s done there every day.

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BRCA patents

Oral arguments for the suit to overturn the BRCA patents were heard last Friday. A decision is expected in 2-3 months. A recording of the arguments can be found at the following link: http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/search/audio.html Read more!

Twin Sisters

"Today" posted a follow-up video to the twin sisters, who were diagnosed with breast cancer and a BRCA mutation, who search out their biological relatives after being adopted years before.

http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&vid=8ada85d1-39d0-413b-9bdd-445fab8fc2ca&from=sharepermalink&src=v5:share:sharepermalink: Read more!

Twin sister reach out to relatives

An amazing story of twin sisters who developed breast cancer, learned that they carried a BRCA mutation and searched for their biological relatives after being adopted as young children.

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Nora's story

Please watch Nora's touching story, told by her mother Sarah. A vision test, done by her pediatrician, detected her eye cancer and may have saved her vision. All children diagnosed with retinoblastoma should also be seen for genetic counseling and testing. We wish you the best Nora!

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Important Free Webinar

Join Breast Cancer Action on June 25th or 26th for an important free webinar: Take Back Our Genes: Ending the Patent on Breast Cancer Genes to learn about how one company's control of the "breast cancer genes" creates barriers to research and testing that could endanger your health and compromise the healthcare of hundreds of thousands of women.

Visit Breast Cancer Action to learn more and register for this free webinar:
http://bcaction.org/2012/06/04/free-webinar-take-back-our-genes-ending-the-patents-on-breast-cancer-genes/

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1-Step Breast Reconstruction

1-step reconstruction is now an option for many women with breast cancer and also for those choosing prophylactic mastectomy. Speak with your surgeon to find out if you are a candidate.

Visit the link below to see Dr. Phil's interview with a plastic surgeon and breast cancer patient.

http://www.lctv.com/2012/02/28/amazing-1-day-breast-cancer-treatment Read more!

2012 FORCE Conference

Registration now open for the 2012 FORCE conference in Orlando FL, October 18-20th!

Visit the following link for more information!

http://www.facingourrisk.org/events/annual_conference/index.php


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Our Spring Newsletter is now available!

Click the above light blue link or visit: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs079/1102000702257/archive/1109462036872.html Read more!

Can a gene’s DNA be patented?

In the 1990s Myriad Genetics, collaborating with investigators at the University of Utah Research Foundation and other institutions and companies around the world, isolated the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, which are linked to both breast and ovarian cancer. In 1997 the U.S. Patent Office, ruling that the isolated DNA of these genes were discrete chemical compounds, granted a patent on the BRCA 1 gene and certain mutations to Myriad and its collaborators. The office later granted similar protection for the BRCA 2 gene. Over a decade later a science expert employed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who was looking into health and medical issues reported that patents were being granted for genes. Impossible, replied Chris Hansen, J.D., an ACLU attorney. They must be patenting the methodology to isolate the genes. No, the researcher assured him, they’re patenting genes, and about 20 percent of known human genes are under patent. “That’s just wrong,” Hansen replied. “Let’s sue somebody.” Visit http://yalemedicine.yale.edu/winter2012/news/chronicle/119700 to read the full article. You can also click the above light blue link to be redirected. Read more!