Thursday, June 19, 2025

Unrecognized and Undervalued: Why Is Medicare Ignoring Genetic Counselors?

Help improve access to this critical form of care! Urge your organizations to sign this support letter:

https://www.nsgc.org/POLICY/Federal-Advocacy/Bill-Letter-Signature.

Thank you! xo- Amy

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Monday, June 9, 2025

Breaking Barriers: Men's Health and Male Breast Cancer

Waiting room scene from Love, Danielle featuring Devin Sidell and Raymond Cruz

Men's Health Week begins today (June 9) and runs until June 15, 2025. Now is a great time to motivate yourself or the men you care about to prioritize regular checkups, understand their risk factors, and adopt or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One of my favorite scenes in "Love, Danielle" features Stan, a male BRCA gene mutation carrier, portrayed by the talented Raymond Cruz. This character stands in stark contrast to Cruz's well-known role as Tuco in "Breaking Bad."

The film shifts the conversation about men's health and male breast cancer, working to reduce the stigma associated with these topics. The character Stan challenges traditional ideas of masculinity and encourages open discussions about men's health screenings. By presenting Stan as a relatable figure, the film humanizes the experience of male breast cancer and emphasizes that breast cancer affects men as well.

To learn more about male breast cancer and the implications of BRCA and hereditary cancer in men by visiting HIS Breast Cancer Awareness.

Love, Danielle is currently playing film festivals across the country.
Click here for a list of upcoming screenings.

Friday, May 23, 2025

2025 Film Screenings - LOVE, DANIELLE

LOVE, DANIELLE

Amid family drama and dysfunction, a woman who carries a BRCA gene mutation must decide whether or not to remove her breasts and ovaries to reduce her cancer risk.

Upcoming Screenings

NEVADA (Las Vegas) - Nevada Women’s Film Festival - Sunday, June 22nd @ 4:50pm at UNLV. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARKANSAS - Coming June 2025

MASSACHUSETTS - Coming July 2025

Past Screenings

NEBRASKA - Omaha Film Festival - Sunday, March 16 @ 11:45 AM at Aksarben Cinema. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

MARYLAND - Annapolis Film Festival - Saturday, March 29 @ 10:00am at Maryland Hall Bowen. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

NEW JERSEY - Garden State Film Festival - Sunday, March 30 @ 11:45 AM at Berkeley Kingsley. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARIZONA - Phoenix Film Festival - Friday, April 4 @ 4:10pm at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARIZONA - Phoenix Film Festival - Saturday, April 5 @ 5:35pm at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARIZONA - Phoenix Film Festival - Sunday, April 6 @ 11:55am at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

IOWA - Julien Dubuque Film Festival - Thursday, April 24 @10:30am [FREE} Phoenix Theatre 1. RESERVE SPOT HERE.

TEXAS (Dallas) - USA Film Festival - Saturday, April 26 @ 4pm [FREE] at Angelika Film Center & Café. RESERVE SPOT HERE.

IOWA - Julien Dubuque Film Festival - Sunday, April 27 @ 5:30pm Phoenix Theatre 1. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

TEXAS (Houston) - WorldFest Houston Film Festival - Saturday, May 3 @ 6:30pm at Cinemark Memorial City. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.┅

WATCH THE TRAILER!

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day - Georgia Hurst

On this Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day, March 22nd, I'm happy to share that the fiercest LS advocate, Georgia Hurst, has returned on Substack! Stay updated on Lynch Syndrome News by following Georgia's latest insights and updates here: https://lynchsyndromenews.substack.com/

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

NEW RESOURCE

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has released a new resource aimed at helping individuals understand genetic testing and counseling for hereditary cancers. This patient-friendly guide provides essential information on identifying genetic mutations that increase cancer risk and details the latest recommendations from experts in the field of cancer genetics.

LINK: https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/genetics-patient.pdf

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 SPECIFIC

BOOK REVIEW

Dangerous Boobies: Breaking Up with My Time-Bomb Breasts by Caitlin Brodnick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've never met comedian and author Caitlin Brodnick but I have heard her voice on her Screw You Cancer series: https://video.glamour.com/series/scre... Full disclosure: I also interviewed Caitlin via twitter for a blog post on this book: http://thebrcaresponder.blogspot.com/...

My favorite thing about "Dangerous Boobies" is its authentic voice; as I read it was as if Caitlin was reading it to me, in her sweet chirpy voice she writes like she talks raw, honest, fast, confident, sometimes insecure, often anxious, heartily reflective and mostly, "udderly" hysterical. Yup, that was me attempting channel my inner Caitlin.

As an advocate for those with BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes, I was excited to read Brodnick's book. I absolutely applaud anyone who is willing to be so open with their experience and Brodnick not only did this with her Screw You Cancer Series but with her book too. All was seemingly rosy as she was recovering in the last of her Screw You Cancer episodes, answering viewer questions. However, we learn in the book that all was not easy. Caitlin sheds light on tougher times post surgery, including struggling with serious depression.

I appreciate the places in the book where Brodnick gets statistics and information straight from the experts. Regarding genetic testing, I am thankful she says to see a genetic counselor and find out the facts. (I'm adding here that you can find a certified genetic counselor by phone or in person at: http://nsgc.org)

If you want to get a quick taste of Caitlin's humor and tone, just take a look at her chapter titles. My favorite one..."CANCER IS AN EMOTIONLESS BITCH WHO WILL RUIN YOUR BRUNCH PLANS"! Another chapter, TITTY TITTY BANG BANG: THE SEX PART, where she discusses having sex with her husband for the first time after surgery. The first sentence of that chapter is "Author's note: Dad and Grandpa, please skip to page 145." So perfect.

And, I cannot end this review without mentioning some stunning similarities I learned Caitlin and I have:

1. We both have the BRCA 1 5385insC mutation
2. We both have neurocardiogenic syncope
3. We both lost a close female relative at 33 years old
4. We both have Jewish fathers named Al
5. We both have moms that are hot shiksas
6. We both love writing, I'm writing my book now
7. We both have fair skin and reddish hair
8. We both have one leg shorter than the other

Very happy I ready this.
Very funny. Very real.
Very happy this is a resource I can recommend to others!
XO Amy @BRCAresponder

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW

Understanding BRCA: Living with the Breast Cancer Gene by Clarissa Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

FINALLY finished reading this Clarissa! As an advocate providing education, advocacy, and support surrounding BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes, I truly appreciate the time and effort that it took you to complete this amazing book/BRCA resource. Women and men in the UK will absolutely benefit from the all of the guidelines specific to the UK. Others will benefit from the information regarding BRCA mutations. I will be recommending this. Unbelievable glossary, appendix, resources, and index.

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW

Cancer Was Not a Gift & It Didn't Make Me a Better Person: A memoir about cancer as I know it by Nancy Stordahl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Raw, Honest, Authentic - MUST READ!
As a patient advocate for those with BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes, I personally appreciate Nancy's candor and complete transparency. Her writing is stellar; the book is captivating and on point. People who have a family history of cancer, BRCA gene mutation, or metastatic cancer diagnosis will absolutely appreciate the author's authenticity in this fantastic memoir. Must Read!

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW

A Cancer in the Family: Take Control of Your Genetic Inheritance by Theodora Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a BRCA/Hereditary Cancer Advocate I was excited to read Dr. Ross' book. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, part handbook, part memoir, it's definitely worth the purchase just for the index! Pages 201-266 list inherited cancer syndromes by name and associated gene. Lifetime cancer risks associated with each syndrome are also spelled out in addition to current risk management guidelines for both women and men.

Those interested in health and science would enjoy this book.
Medical students and ALL DOCTORS in ALL SPECIALTIES would benefit from reading this book.
@BRCAresponder

View all my reviews

@BRCAresponder BLOG

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Unrecognized and Undervalued: Why Is Medicare Ignoring Genetic Counselors?

Help improve access to this critical form of care! Urge your organizations to sign this support letter:

https://www.nsgc.org/POLICY/Federal-Advocacy/Bill-Letter-Signature.

Thank you! xo- Amy

Monday, June 9, 2025

Breaking Barriers: Men's Health and Male Breast Cancer

Waiting room scene from Love, Danielle featuring Devin Sidell and Raymond Cruz

Friday, May 23, 2025

2025 Film Screenings - LOVE, DANIELLE

LOVE, DANIELLE

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day - Georgia Hurst

On this Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day, March 22nd, I'm happy to share that the fiercest LS advocate, Georgia Hurst, has returned on Substack! Stay updated on Lynch Syndrome News by following Georgia's latest insights and updates here: https://lynchsyndromenews.substack.com/

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

NEW RESOURCE

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 SPECIFIC

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

Information and resources on brcaresponder.blogspot.com should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. it is always important to do your own research and work with your own medical professionals regarding your own personal health issues & concerns.

Discussing Cancer Risk Management

Sharing my story

"SISTA"

@BRCAresponder extras

About BRCA/Dr. Susan Domchek

Pink & Blue store

LILLIAN & BO

LILLIAN & MY DAD circa 1930

Kristin & Me

BRCA SISTERHOOD

My pal Scary Face Dog

MY BRCA TEST RESULT

PINK MOON LOVELIES

PRETTY IS WHAT CHANGES

LETTERS TO DOCTORS

FAVORITE PIC OF ME & MY DAD circa 1972

ME & MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER JAN