Heidi Marsh, 46, of Seattle, tested positive for the PALB2 mutation after her mother a breast cancer and pancreatic cancer patient was found to have it. She said her own doctor was unaware of the gene.<\/p>\n
My OB-GYN was aware of my moms history and never suggested genetic testing, Ms. Marsh said. She never heard of it. I educated her. The oncologist she sent me to did not suggest surgery.<\/p>\n
But Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a partner of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where Ms. Marshs mother had been an oncology nurse, did know about the gene mutation. The group immediately put together a team that included a surgical oncologist, a pancreatic cancer specialist, a geneticist, a nutritionist and a social worker.<\/p>\n
This has been life-changing, said Ms. Marsh, who had her fallopian tubes removed in April. (She was told most ovarian cancer first occurs in the tubes. She plans to remove her ovaries after menopause.)<\/p>\n
She will have breast monitoring with alternating mammograms and breast M.R.I.s every six months. She has already had an endoscopic ultrasound to look at her pancreas.<\/p>\n
She has found a Facebook group, PALB2 Warriors, to be helpful. Because she has a background in health care she was a phlebotomist she says she looks further than individual postings, to studies that are placebo-controlled and peer-reviewed for information. But when it comes to personal stories of experience with prophylactic mastectomies and reconstruction, she says that is invaluable.<\/p>\n
This was not remotely on my radar screen, she said. In one sense I feel empowered. But I also feel like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, that cancer will be inevitable.<\/p>\n
But mostly, she is thankful that she knows about PALB2 and the risks involved.<\/p>\n
Its an alarm clock and a wake-up call, she said. You can do something about it if you choose.<\/p>\n
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Continue reading here: Heidi Marsh, 46, of Seattle, tested positive for the PALB2 mutation after her mother a breast cancer and pancreatic cancer patient was found to have it. She said her own doctor was unaware of the gene. My OB-GYN was aware of my moms history and never suggested genetic testing, Ms Continue reading
\nThis Breast Cancer Gene Is Less Well Known, but Nearly as Dangerous - The New York Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"