Beyond BRCA: Cowden Syndrome (PTEN)

Beyond BRCA: Cowden Syndrome (PTEN)

This is part of a series of articles written to highlight rare hereditary cancer syndromes. In this interview, Heather shares her story of living with Cowden syndrome. Genetic Counseling Note: People who have a mutation (also known as a pathogenic variant) in the PTEN...

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Spina Bifida Risk Reduction Starts Before Pregnancy

Spina Bifida Risk Reduction Starts Before Pregnancy

Spina bifida means "split" or "open" spine in Latin. It is a birth defect in which a fetus's spine does not form correctly during pregnancy. The spinal cord normally 'zips' closed early in pregnancy. If it fails to close anywhere along the spinal cord, the cord and...

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Put Yourself at the Top of Your Gift List This Year

Put Yourself at the Top of Your Gift List This Year

Running around frantically buying gifts for your loved ones this holiday season? Take a moment to decide what you will give yourself. How about better health? You are worth it, and frankly, this is also the most important gift you can give to those who love you. There...

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Gather Your Family Health History This Thanksgiving

Gather Your Family Health History This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is coming up, and there is a good chance that you will have the rare opportunity to visit with extended family for a few hours. Whether you are gathering around the dinner table or Zoom this year, now is a great time to have a conversation with your loved...

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Tumor Testing: Finding the Right Key for Your Lock

Tumor Testing: Finding the Right Key for Your Lock

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the second most common cancer among both men and women in the United States. On top of those jarring...

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Celebrities Share Their Breast Cancer Stories

Celebrities Share Their Breast Cancer Stories

When celebrities publicly share their cancer diagnoses, it is common for medical professionals to experience dramatic increases in office calls and for Internet searches about the celebrity's cancer to rise. In this blog post, we shine the spotlight on a few...

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To Have or Not To Have Genetic Testing?

To Have or Not To Have Genetic Testing?

We asked previvors on Twitter, "What would you like to say to the person on the fence about whether or not to have genetic testing?" Here's what they had to say. It's not painful. You'll get so much out of it (the answer). You're strong enough to find out and move...

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