@BRCAresponder BLOG: February 2016

Sunday, February 21, 2016

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

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

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.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

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

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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