@BRCAresponder BLOG

Monday, October 17, 2022

Twin sisters discuss BRCA journey - ABC New York news reporter Stacey Sager

ABC New York news reporter and breast cancer survivor Stacey Sager spoke to twin sisters about their journey after discovering they carried a BRCA gene mutation.

American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event Jones Beach on Long Island October 16, 2022. It is the 29th year of the events put on by the American Cancer Society which are meant to raise money and awareness about breast cancer, how to detect it, and the precautions that people can take to try to prevent it.

This year's nationwide fundraiser goal is $1.3 million.

Sunday, September 25, 2022

2022 Hereditary Cancer Week

LEARN MORE!

FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY AND CANCER

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

UPDATED GUIDELINES! Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling & Testing?

*infographic updated 10/1/22UPDATED GUIDELINES - UPDATED INFOGRAPHICHereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Syndrome Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling & Testing? 9/2022
Details in a blogpost by My Gene Counsel: 
https://www.mygenecounsel.com/who-should-consider-brca-testing/

Sunday, December 5, 2021

THREE YEARS SINCE PUBLICATION

Resurrection Lily was published three years ago today. It is a fantastic feeling to know that people are still discovering it, and it's resonating. Knowing there is a trickle-down effect and people recommend it to their friends brings me a lot of personal satisfaction. Positive feedback continues to fuel my BRCA/hereditary cancer advocacy efforts. Gratitude to all of you who helped make it happen. ~ Amy

Resurrection Lily
is available in softcover, hardcover and ebook formats 
at most online retailers.

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

NEW PODCAST

I recently spoke with Chelsea London Lloyd on her DYING OF LAUGHTER podcast. Chelsea's podcast features interviews with millennial comedians and funny-at-heart humans with a deceased parent or sibling. About Chelsea London Lloyd: Chelsea grew up with two sick parents; her dad died of ALS after a 15 year journey + her mom currently combats stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for the second time. Bonus episodes include interviews with grief counselors, funeral directors, cancer survivors, previvors, therapists, life coaches, oncologists + genetic counselors to name a few.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

PREVIVOR DAY

Friend & fellow advocate Georgia Hurst writes "Today, Wednesday, Sept. 29th, is Previvor Day. Some people minimize the experience of Previvors. Suffering is not a competition. Minimizing what others go through is never okay." @NancysPoint #previvorday https://t.co/GRT7AbyMUs
— Amy Byer Shainman (@BRCAresponder) September 29, 2021

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

REMINDER :)

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A post shared by Amy Byer Shainman (@brcaresponder)

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!

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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

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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

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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.

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