A cancer in the family
Subtitle: take control of your genetic inheritance
By: Theodora Ross
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 286
ISBN-13: 9781101982839
Subjects: Oncologists; Families; Genetic aspects; Cancer; Health; Biography; History
Description: "Oncologist and cancer gene hunter Theo Ross delivers the first authoritative, go-to for people facing a genetic predisposition for cancer There are 13 million people with cancer in the United States, and it's estimated that about 1.3 million of these cases are hereditary. Yet despite advanced training in cancer genetics and years of practicing medicine, Dr. Theo Ross was never certain whether the history of cancers in her family was simple bad luck or a sign that they were carriers of a cancer-causing genetic mutation. Then she was diagnosed with melanoma, and for someone with a dark complexion, melanoma made no sense. It turned out there was a genetic factor at work. Using her own family's story, the latest science of cancer genetics, and her experience as a practicing physician, Ross shows readers how to spot the patterns of inherited cancer, how to get tested for cancer-causing genes, and what to do if you have one. With a foreword by Siddartha Mukherjee, prize winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies, this will be the first authoritative, go-to for people facing inherited cancer, this book empowers readers to face their genetic heritage without fear and to make decisions that will keep them and their families healthy"--

"Oncologist and cancer gene hunter Theo Ross shares the story of discovering her own cancer gene mutation and unraveling her family's unclear history, showing readers along the way what to do if they have a genetic predisposition for cancer or suspect one runs in their family"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Knowledge that can save your life; title: The double helix : biology isn't destiny; title: Taking a family history : dealing with silence, dealing with drama; title: Is your doctor truthy? Are you?; title: Genetic counseling, genetic testing, and family conversations; title: How to manage your cancer risk when information is limited; title: Targeted treatments for cancer : realities, myths, possibilities; title: Science is a group project : data points and you.; title: Knowledge that can save your life. Why not "just get tested"? ; A family history of cancer is a powerful tool for better health ; The double helix : biology isn't destiny ; Every cancer is genetic ; A short (very short) tutorial in genetics ; Inherited vs. sporadic cancer ; Does cancer run in your family? Look for these signs ; Inherited cancer syndromes ; Cancer and family secrets ; Charting your family's health history; title: Taking a family history : dealing with silence, dealing with drama. Genogram to the rescue ; Fuzzy facts : when the family's cancer truth is lost to history ; Secret ethnic histories ; How to learn about your genetic inheritance when you're adopted ; The best time to see your doctor ; Is your doctor truthy? Are you? ; (truthy) things doctors say about inherited cancer ; When medical records lie ; HIPAA: it helps more than it hurts ; What about me? What about you? How to avoid avoidance ; Genetic counseling, genetic testing, and family conversations ; Do you need genetic counseling? ; How genetic counselors can help you ; Get the most from your genetic counseling appointment ; What happens during genetic testing ; What about direct-to-consumer genetic tests? ; Understanding the results of a genetic test ; Getting the news ; We need "mystery patients" to help us understand the genome ; Effects on your insurance policies and employment ; Telling your family about a mutation in a cancer gene ; How to manage your cancer risk when information is limited ; Cancer risk management and the powers it brings ; Risk management options for common family cancer syndromes ; Difficulties in decision making ; Tools for resolving decisional conflict ; Targeted treatments for cancer : realities, myths, possibilities ; What are targeted therapies? ; Hormonal therapies ; Kinase inhibitors ; PARP inhibitors ; Therapeutic antibodies ; Immune therapies ; Combined therapies ; How to silt hope from hype ; Why we need clinical trials ; What about sequencing the whole genome of your germline or tumor? ; Science is a group project : data points and you ; Privacy, consent, and good data-sharing ; Let's build data-sharing plans for cancer genetics ; What families can do to accelerate cancer research.