The first guide to all surgical and nonsurgical options for women with a high risk for breast cancer. Advances in genetic testing and risk assessment have changed the face of medicine, but with them has come a Pandora's box of dilemmas. Imagine discovering you had a significant risk for developing breast cancer. What would you do? Through the incredible true stories of five young friends, as well as interviews with more than seventy top breast cancer experts, health writer Dina Roth Port addresses the universal questions of women everywhere who have watched family members suffer from the disease and wondered, "Am I next?" Full of practical information, Previvors is the first comprehensive book to guide women through the difficult process of determining their risk, weighing the options, and coping with the emotions of deciding to undergo surgery. Readers will learn: •The pros and cons of getting tested for the BRCA gene •How to decide between surgical or nonsurgical options •The latest research in breast cancer surveillance •The advanced new world of breast reconstruction •How to overcome body image and sex issues post-surgery, and more From navigating health insurance coverage to finding the right medical team, Previvors is an invaluable resource for women facing decisions about their risk and future health. Watch a Video
The most comprehensive guide available on hereditary cancers, from understanding risk, prevention, and genetic counseling and testing to treatment, quality of life, and more. Up to 10 percent of cancers are caused by inherited mutations in specific genes. Finding out that you or your loved ones may be at increased risk of developing cancer because of a genetic mutation raises a lot of questions: Is cancer inevitable? Is there anything I should do differently in my life? Will my children also be at higher risk of cancer? Should I have preemptive treatments or surgery? This comprehensive guide provides answers to these questions and more. Written by three passionate patient advocates, this book is a compilation of the trusted information and support provided for more than two decades by Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), the de facto voice of the hereditary cancer community. Combining the latest scientific research with national guidelines, expert advice, and compelling patient stories, the book offers previvors (those who have a mutation but have never been diagnosed), survivors, and their families the guidance they need to face the unique physical and emotional challenges of living in a high-risk body. An ideal resource for genetic counselors, physicians, nurses, advocates, and others who support and care for the hereditary cancer community, Living with Hereditary Cancer Risk also provides coverage of • signs of inherited cancer risk in a family; • the value of genetic counseling and testing; • mutations in BRCA, Lynch Syndrome, and other genes that elevate cancer risk; • risk-reducing strategies; • traditional treatments and newer personalized approaches, including immunotherapies and PARP inhibitors; • nationally recommended guidelines for prevention, early detection, and treatment; • insurance coverage and discrimination protections; and • coping with sexual health, fertility, menopause, and other quality of life issues.
In "Facing the Unknown: A Previvor's Path to Wellness," join author Keisha Brown on a courageous and transformative journey of self-discovery. This powerful memoir delves into the author's personal odyssey, marked by resilience, strength, and the pursuit of wellness after facing the life-altering decision of undergoing a bilateral double mastectomy. As a previvor, Keisha shares her intimate experiences, providing a heartfelt account of the emotional and physical challenges that come with such a profound decision. Through eloquent storytelling, she navigates the complexities of living as a previvor, shedding light on the emotional rollercoaster, moments of doubt, and the triumphs of self-empowerment. This book is not just a memoir; it's a guide for those who may be walking a similar path, offering insights into coping mechanisms, wellness practices, and the importance of embracing one's own body. Delving into the intricacies of post-mastectomy life, Keisha addresses topics such as self-care, mental health, and the transformative power of self-love. Embark on a transformative narrative that transcends the boundaries of a traditional memoir, as "Facing the Unknown" empowers readers to embrace their own journeys and find strength in the face of uncertainty. This book is for: Previvors and Survivors: Individuals who have undergone or are contemplating a bilateral double mastectomy, as well as those navigating the challenges of life as a previvor. Patients and Families Facing Similar Decisions: Individuals facing decisions related to mastectomy or other significant medical procedures, along with their families and support networks seeking understanding and guidance. Healthcare Professionals: Medical professionals, including surgeons, oncologists, and mental health practitioners, who want insights into the emotional and psychological aspects of patients undergoing such surgeries. Support Groups and Communities: Members of support groups and communities focused on breast cancer, mastectomy, and previvorship looking for shared experiences and inspiration. Advocacy Organizations: Organizations dedicated to breast health, cancer awareness, and previvor support, seeking narratives that raise awareness and provide valuable perspectives. General Readers Interested in Personal Growth: Individuals interested in personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery, as the book goes beyond medical aspects to explore universal themes of strength and empowerment. Women's Health and Wellness Enthusiasts: Readers interested in women's health, wellness practices, and narratives that emphasize self-care and self-love. Media and Journalists: Journalists, bloggers, and media professionals covering health, wellness, and personal stories, seeking impactful narratives for their audiences.
"Be informed. Be empowered. Be well." If you are concerned that the cancer in your family is hereditary, you face difficult choices. Should you have a blood test that may reveal whether you have a high likelihood of disease? Do you preemptively treat a disease that may never develop? How do you make decisions now that will affect the rest of your life? This helpful, informative guide answers your questions as you confront hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Developed by Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, this book stands alone among breast and ovarian cancer resources. Equal parts health guide and memoir, it defines complex issues facing previvors and survivors and provides solutions with a fresh, authoritative voice. Written by three passionate advocates for the hereditary cancer community who are themselves breast cancer survivors, Confronting Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer dispels myths and misinformation and presents practical risk-reducing alternatives and decision-making tools. Including information about genetic counseling and testing, preventive surgery, and fertility and family planning, as well as explanations of health insurance coverage and laws protecting genetic privacy, this resource tackles head-on the challenges of living in a high-risk body. Confronting hereditary cancer is a complex, confusing, and highly individual journey. With its unique combination of the latest research, expert advice, and compelling personal stories, this book gives previvors, survivors, and their family members the guidance they need to face the unique challenges of hereditary cancer.
Edie Falco, Sheryl Crow, Athena Jones, and other breast cancer survivors and “previvors” tell their powerful, inspiring stories in this collection. Drawing from first-hand interviews of successful, high-profile women from myriad industries and perspectives, award-winning journalist Ali Rogin brings together an all-star support and recovery team to inspire anyone confronting a cancer diagnosis, along with their loved ones. Learn how preeminent actresses, musicians, politicians, journalists, and entrepreneurs faced a formidable disease and put it in its place. In their own words, the women of Beat Breast Cancer Like a Boss inform and encourage other women by sharing their experiences and advice. Learn how they told loved ones about their diagnoses, navigated treatment options, and managed the work/life/cancer balance. Rogin, too, faced great uncertainty when she tested positively for the BRCA1 genetic mutation at age twenty. She found answers in the vibrant community of breast cancer survivors and “previvors” who also stared down the odds. With her brave decision to undergo a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy before even graduating college, Rogin joined this diverse sisterhood of women confronting breast cancer in its many forms with dignity, strength, and humor.
"Providing comprehensive, current, and reliable information on breast cancer, this book, written by an experienced oncologist, a surgeon, and a breast cancer survivor, informs and inspires readers, wherever they are in the breast cancer experience. Patient stories, essays from medical specialists, and illustrations add clarity and insight"--
Women’s Health Advocacy brings together academic studies and personal narratives to demonstrate how women use a variety of arguments, forms of writing, and communication strategies to effect change in a health system that is not only often difficult to participate in, but which can be actively harmful. It explicates the concept of rhetorical ingenuity—the creation of rhetorical means for specific and technical, yet extremely personal, situations. At a time when women’s health concerns are at the center of national debate, this rhetorical ingenuity provides means for women to uncover latent sources of oppression in women’s health and medicine and to influence matters of research, funding, policy, and everyday access to healthcare in the face of exclusion and disenfranchisement. This accessible collection will be inspiring reading for academics and students in health communication, medical humanities, and women’s studies, as well as for activists, patients, and professionals.
In an era of promising advances in cancer research, there are considerable and even alarming gaps in the fundamental knowledge and understanding of ovarian cancer. Researchers now know that ovarian cancer is not a single disease-several distinct subtypes exist with different origins, risk factors, genetic mutations, biological behaviors, and prognoses. However, persistent questions have impeded progress toward improving the prevention, early detection, treatment, and management of ovarian cancers. Failure to significantly improve morbidity and mortality during the past several decades is likely due to several factors, including the lack of research being performed by specific disease subtype, lack of definitive knowledge of the cell of origin and disease progression, and incomplete understanding of genetic and non-genetic risk factors. Ovarian Cancers examines the state of the science in ovarian cancer research, identifies key gaps in the evidence base and the challenges to addressing those gaps, considers opportunities for advancing ovarian cancer research, and examines avenues for translation and dissemination of new findings and communication of new information to patients and others. This study makes recommendations for public- and private-sector efforts that could facilitate progress in reducing the incidence of morbidity and mortality from ovarian cancers.
After watching too many family members die of cancer, at age 28, public speaker and comedian Caitlin Brodnick was tested for the BRCA1 gene mutation and tested positive, indicating an 87% chance she'd likely be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. She had a preventative double mastectomy, thereby becoming an everywoman's Angelina Jolie. Dangerous Boobies: Breaking Up with My Time-Bomb Breasts goes in depth into her experience from testing to surgery and on to recovery. With a warm, funny, and approachable voice, Caitlin tells readers the full story, even sharing what it was like to go from a size 32G bra -- giant, for a woman who is barely over five feet tall! -- to a 32C. Engaging and open, she admits to having hated her breasts long before her surgery, and enjoying the process of "designing" her new breasts, from the shape of the breasts to the size and color of the nipples. While Caitlin's primary narrative explores the BRCA gene and breast cancer, her story is also one about body acceptance and what it takes to be confident with and in charge of one's body. Her speaking engagements and comedy routines have shown that the wider topic of breasts, breast size, and personal identity is resonating with younger readers.
This sensitive true story of preventive mastectomy and implant breast reconstruction, as written by Heather Barnard in Why is Mommy Having Surgery, will hopefully encourage families to explore their feelings, understand the process, and open the communication to what can be a difficult subject. This book helps children understand what having BRCA means, why mommy is choosing to have preventive surgery and what that process will entail. With a forward written by Dr. Chrysopoulo, breast reconstruction microsurgeon , we hope this book will become a valuable resource for the many women with BRCA looking into preventive measures.
