END OF YEAR Edition 2016 - Hereditary Cancer News

Happy Holidays 2016 - XOXO @BRCAresponder

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER - Pink & Blue

Just in time for the holidays! 

GO DIRECTLY TO iTunes

GO TO iTunes

GIFT IDEA:  Put a $10 iTunes gift card in this customizable Pink & Blue greeting card below (iTunes download link is on the back of the card).

Customizable Pink & Blue Holiday Greeting Card

by PinkBluedocumentary

BRCAresponder KITCHEN - "Weekend Chill" Chili

If you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted from the election this week and feel like an easy weekend, here is VERY EASY, FAST, & DELICIOUS low calorie meal packed with loads of nutrients and protein that will revamp your energy and soul. It makes about 8 portions so it's great recipe for a large family, to store in the refrigerator for leftovers, or to separate and put in the freezer and reheat for a quick meal. All for about $20. You can make it completely vegetarian with veggies crumbles, just beans, or you can use ground turkey or chicken. I don't like spicy food so don't worry, this is NOT spicy. It's flavorful and filling. It's so delish and yes, good for you...enjoy!

Cauliflower has loads of vitamin C and health benefits. Beans are low in fat, great for your heart and digestion, and are convenient and satisfying. The tomato goes beyond basic nutrition and is packed full of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. They are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and folic acid. They also contain the antioxidant Lycopene which not gives them their rich red color and plays a role in preventing chronic disease. 

"WEEKEND CHILL" CHILI_

YOU WILL NEED...

A LARGE NON-STICK DEEP SKILLET/WOK

PICK YOUR PROTEIN 11 oz -16oz Ground veggie crumbles/pea protein OR ground chicken OR ground turkey 
OR you can skip this and just add another can of beans 

BEANS 
(1) 15oz can dark red kidney beans 
(1) 15 oz can pinto beans 

FROZEN RICED CAULIFLOWER (1) 11-12 oz bag 
(another option, add diced or chunked up yellow squash or zucchini) 

ORGANIC CRUSHED TOMATOES 
(definitely use organic tomatoes,  even if your other items are not organic)
(2) 28 oz cans 

ORGANIC DICED TOMATOES  
(1) 28 oz can

TACO SEASONING MIX (yes Taco seasoning, not Chili seasoning)
1 & 1/2 packets

SHREDDED CHEDDAR or CHEESE of your choice
(1) 12 oz bag

LOW FAT SOUR CREAM
(1) 16 oz tub

Cook your protein thoroughly in skillet according to directions on medium to high heat. 
Drain fat if needed. Turn down to medium heat.

ADD & MIX IN the frozen riced cauliflower 
Cook 5 minutes. 
For beans, turn can over and drain liquid with your hand covering top, it's fine to leave some liquid in beans. 
ADD & MIX IN 15 oz can dark red kidney beans.
AND 15 oz can pinto beans.  
ADD & MIX IN (2) 28 oz cans organic crushed tomatoes 
ADD & MIX IN (1) 28 oz can organic diced tomatoes.  
ADD & MIX IN TACO SEASONING MIX
I use 1 1/2 packets (Adjust to your taste).
MIX well turn back up to medium high heat until mixture boils, about 5 minutes.

REDUCE HEAT TO SIMMER & COVER with large lid or aluminum foil and just let sit and simmer on stove for 20-30 minutes, stirring on occasion, until you are ready to eat. 

Chili can also be frozen into portions. 
It can be stored in fridge to reheat next day.

Makes about (8) 1 1/2  to 2 cup portions. 
Each portion (made with my veggie protein) approximately 
268 calories. 
Add 1/4 cup shredded cheese and 2 tablespoons low fat sour cream & each portion is approximately
287 calories.

EWG suggests that people buy organic tomatoes where possible so as to minimize pesticide exposure.  

NOVEMBER 2016 - Hereditary Cancer News

OCTOBER 2016 - Hereditary Cancer News

STILLER...STILL IN NEED OF INFORMATION?

My absolute favorite funny-man Ben Stiller just opened up to the world writing an essay on Medium about his prostate cancer diagnosis 2 years ago.  Thank you for sharing your story Ben. I love that you wanted to talk about the PSA test that you say saved your life. #SavingLives  

But Stiller, are you still in need of life saving information?

*Update to this blogpost March, 2018, I added this clip of Stiller on the Today Show 

In this November 2016 clip below, Stiller does say there is family history of cancer on his father's side. He says, cancer, but not prostate cancer.  (Minute 1:15 - 1:30)  Stiller's father Jerry was Jewish.  

Based on the way Ben Stiller told his story, it makes me wonder if he underwent certified genetic counseling and truly understands "cancer risk" or "high risk" as his comments do not seem to reflect that he does.

 “The bottom line for me: I was lucky enough to have a doctor who gave me what they call a “baseline” PSA test when I was about 46. I have no history of prostate cancer in my family and I am not in the high-risk group, being neither — to the best of my knowledge — of African or Scandinavian ancestry. I had no symptoms."

Yet, Stiller is of Jewish ancestry and this is not noted in his essay. Does Stiller know that approximately 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews carries a BRCA genetic mutation that increases risk for certain cancers?

Prostate cancer being "in the family" is not the only red flag for being in a high risk group. He makes no mention of any other types of cancer in his family. So, we don't actually know if Stiller actually has any family history of any other types of cancer in his family (mother or father's side, female and/or male cancers count!). He says, "to the best of his knowledge"-- however, we don't really know what Stiller's "knowledge" is...and family medical history doesn't always scream loudly. Family medical histories can fall through the cracks if you don't know what you are looking for...or if they simply don't exist; the case for many Jewish families who lost so many members in the Holocaust. 

In addition, based on Stiller's specific comment about African or Scandinavian ancestry, is he (or are his doctors) truly educated about "high risk" or "cancer risk". Do they know that there can be a high risk component/genetic connection if other types of cancers are in the family, or with the red flags of his prostate cancer diagnosis?

STILLER'S RED FLAGS

-of Jewish descent 

-under 50, prostate cancer

-gleason score 7

I completely understand and get why Stiller wrote his essay.

“Taking the PSA test saved my life. Literally. That’s why I am writing this now,” Stiller said in the essay.

He wants people to know this. It's life saving information. The cancer risk education component is equally important and can also be life saving. It's a piece of the puzzle Stiller and his doctors may very well still be missing. 

PROSTATE CANCER in NEWLY EXPANDED NCCN GUIDELINES

(April 2016)via My Gene Counsel

"Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling and Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer". 

http://www.mygenecounsel.com/blog-recent-posts/2016/4/5/who-should-consider-genetic-counseling-and-testing-for-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-guidelines-have-expanded

Finding out one carries a BRCA gene mutation or other gene mutation has implications on a person's health screenings and cancer risk management decisions. If Stiller has not undergone certified genetic counseling or genetic testing, he may very well be unaware of additional cancer risks he may have and lifetime health screenings he may also still need. There may be cancer risk implications for Stiller's other family members as well.

The National Society of Genetic Counselors http://nsgc.org to find a certified genetic counselor near you.

Amy Byer Shainman
@BRCAresponder
Hereditary Cancer/BRCA Advocate
Executive Producer: Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer
http://thebrcaresponder.blogspot.com 

SEPTEMBER 2016 - Hereditary Cancer News

TRANSCRIPT #GenCSM Twitter Chat 8/22 - HEREDITARY CANCER 101 w/ special guest Erica Ramos M.S., CGC

AUGUST 2016 - Hereditary Cancer News

Feedback Request from @BRCAresponder

Would you buy this app to bring you the latest re: your #genetic test results? Please 💙 below, thank you! pic.twitter.com/0OnOhxQUjV

— Ellen T. Matloff (@MyGeneCounsel) July 29, 2016

JULY 2016 - Hereditary Cancer News

https://wakelet.com/@GenCSM

Join #Hcchat June 29th 12 noon EST #Moonshot - special guest Vincent T. Devita, JR., MD

Honored to have @DeVitaDoctor as our #SpecialGuest on our next #Hcchat! #Moonshot #HereditaryCancer #Lynchsyndrome pic.twitter.com/SnyKrNwRq9

— #Hcchat (@Hc_chat) June 23, 2016

#BreakingBias

Saturday 18 June 12:15 - 12:45 Inspiration Stage

Everyone has the fundamental right to receive care. But the powerful forces of empathy and bias can influence whether a person receives – or even seeks out – treatment. It’s time that we investigate the impact these elements have on care and even outcomes.

No one understands the devastating blow a lack of empathy can have better than Alan M. Blassberg. Director of the acclaimed documentary Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer, Alan tells the powerful story of challenges he faced when getting diagnosed with a genetic mutation that causes breast cancer - a “woman’s disease."

The world’s first biotechnology company, Genentech, also tackles bias head-on through its work with The Lung Cancer Project, which uncovered systemic prejudice toward patients. Join Alan and Genentech’s Ed Lang in a conversation to expose our challenges with empathy and bias, learn from our mistakes and chart a path where no one gets left behind.

Speakers:

• Alan M. Blassberg 
  -  Director, Producer of Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer
  -  Pink and Blue Inc.
• Ed Lang 
  -  Senior Director and founding sponsor of The Lung Cancer Project
  -  Genentech, Inc.
• Laura Schoen 
  -  President of Global Health
   
  -  Weber Shandwick

#Hcchat Transcript 4/25/16 What About The Kids? Should We Test Minors For Hereditary Cancer Syndromes w/ Ellen Matloff MS, CGC

HEALTH CHECK - Colonoscopy w/@BRCAresponder

#Lynchsyndrome awareness

Updated- LONDON Pink & Blue 2/22/16 premiere w/ video review

Just been to the premier of the Pink and Blue Movie from America and wow!! it has inspired me to do my first Vlog so here it is Becky xx
Posted by Hereditary Breast And Ovarian Cancer Helpline on Monday, February 22, 2016

#Hcchat Transcript 2/18/16 Immunotherapy and Lynch Syndrome Related Cancers

Pink & Blue documentary screening in MONTREAL 2/17 @ 7:30pm

Pink & Blue: Colors of Heredtary Cancer 
screening in MONTREAL CANADA!
TICKETS available at: 
http://pink-blue-screening.eventbrite.ca 

Hereditary Cancer Chat - #Hcchat 2/18/16 - 2:30pm EST

Follow @Hc_chat on twitter 
and participate in the live chat at the #Hcchat hashtag 
Thursday, February 18th - 2pm EST

Transcript of this chat will be posted.

FANTASTIC DETROIT PREMIERE!

CAST MEMBERS of Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer

DETROIT premiere - February 9, 2016

It was a fantastic Detroit premiere of Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer Tuesday night!  Over 350 movie goers viewed the documentary at the Landmark Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. 

YES…that's Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings in the back!  
Shout out to Beaumont Health and KPS Essentials for sponsoring the screening. 

WDIV-Featured a news story on the film and cast member Kelly Rothe: http://www.clickondetroit.com/entertainment/local-womans-plight-featured-in-new-cancer-documentary

Official Trailer "PINK & BLUE: Colors of Hereditary Cancer " 

from PINK AND BLUE MOVIE on Vimeo.

BRCA Sisterhood's Karen Malkin-Lazarovitz on Dr. Laurie Betito RADIO

SWEEPING UP AFTER THE KARDASHIANS: What We Wish had been Covered in Their Genetic Testing Episode

SWEEPING UP AFTER THE KARDASHIANS: 
What We Wish had been Covered in Their Genetic Testing Episode 

By @MyGeneCounsel

Happy New Year 2016 - Pink & Blue

Happy New Year :0 - 2016