Hereditary Thyroid Cancer

Hereditary Thyroid Cancer

The endocrine system is the bodily system that regulates our metabolism, growth and development, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, mood, and more. Glands that produce hormones and regulate these functions include: Pineal gland Pituitary gland Thyroid Thymus...

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The Genetics of Pancreatic Cancer

The Genetics of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon, with a lifetime risk of ~1.5% for individuals in the United States. For the majority of pancreatic cancers, the cause is unknown and there is no known family history of the disease. In these circumstances, a cancer is...

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Who Should Consider BRCA Testing?

Who Should Consider BRCA Testing?

BRCA-Related Breast and/or Ovarian Cancer syndrome is a hereditary cancer syndrome caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It results in increased risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers and possibly melanoma. Experts believe genetic risk...

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Your Checklist for Ovarian Cancer Genetic Counseling

Your Checklist for Ovarian Cancer Genetic Counseling

Less than 3% of cancer in women is ovarian in nature, but ovarian cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for 85-90% of ovarian cancers....

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Understanding Prostate Cancer

Understanding Prostate Cancer

While the odds are good that you know someone affected by prostate cancer, you may not know all the facts. Learn the hereditary factors, treatment methods, and some possible preventive measures. What is prostate cancer? The prostate gland is found only in men. It is...

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Twelve Women Who Impacted Genetics

Twelve Women Who Impacted Genetics

Nettie Stevens (1861-1912, American) discovered that a fetus’s sex is determined by chromosomes contributed by the parents during conception. Previously, it was believed that environmental factors during conception determined sex.

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STEM Summer Camps

STEM Summer Camps

School has ended, but that doesn't mean kids' learning should! Summer vacation provides an opportunity for kids to further explore topics of interest, such as those in STEM fields. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Educating future...

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Nine Myths About Men and Hereditary Cancer

Nine Myths About Men and Hereditary Cancer

Last Updated June 15, 2022 True or false? Men don’t need genetic testing since only women can have a hereditary risk to develop cancer. Answer: FALSE. The notion that men cannot have hereditary cancer mutations that put them at increased risk to develop cancer is just...

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Hereditary Kidney Cancer Part 1

Hereditary Kidney Cancer Part 1

Last Update: March 5, 2019 This article will focus on kidney cancers and the possibility that kidney cancers may be due an inherited risk. It is estimated that ~3-5% of kidney cancers are hereditary. Photo Credit: WebMD Usually, a person is born with two kidneys. ...

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