Last night, I had the privilege of speaking to over 100 women at a powerful Sharsheret event in South Florida organized by Sara Trosty Walsh, LCSW. Whenever I speak, I aim to educate individuals about hereditary cancer in a way that makes them feel both comfortable and empowered to advocate for themselves with their healthcare. If someone is shy, I encourage them to bring a trusted, "pushy" friend with them to medical appointments. Sometimes individuals need a gentle reminder to honor themselves; that it's ok for them to ask hard questions, it's their right get a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion, and that it's absolutely ok for them to change doctors.
Sharsheret is a Hebrew word that means "chain". It symbolizes the connections that women, families, and communities form while facing breast and ovarian cancer. |
| Amy Byer Shainman @BRCAresponder, 11/20/24 Sharsheret Event South Florida |
1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews – men and women – carries a BRCA gene mutation, more than 10x the rate of the general population, making Jewish families significantly more susceptible to hereditary cancer, which could include breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma or male breast cancer.
Sharsheret’s free support and educational programs serve all women and men nationwide.
Get support at Sharsheret.org
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