I have always been an optimist, a glass half-full type of person. So when I found a lump in my breast during a self-exam, I was sure that it was just a cyst. It couldn’t possibly be breast cancer, right? I was only 37 at the time and was not aware of any family history…
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As I looked at the pathology report bearing my name and the words “poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma of the left breast,” feelings of overwhelming dread set in, along with nausea. “Well Michelle, as always, you do it up big,” said my healthcare professional. “Your cancer is the worst, most aggressive kind.” He explained that poorly…
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Not many of us can look at a genetic code and be inspired to create artwork from it. For most people a DNA sequence looks like a jumble of letters, wavelengths and bright colors. Max Nanis, however, is not “most people.” Max has married his artistic and scientific backgrounds into a project that he is…
Continue Reading We’re in the business of saving lives. That’s what really matters to me, and to the very bright people who work with me at Myriad. We offer testing for patients who, based on their family history, are concerned they are at increased genetic risk for cancer. If a woman learns from our test that she…
Continue Reading “When I was in high school, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 42. She had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. Every year since then, I would get that twinge of nervousness when she had her yearly mammogram…but the more years that went on, it would get a little easier because I had…
Continue Reading There are limited recommendations on this topic.1 The following summarizes the literature, however, a clinician’s judgment will also be based on the patient’s age, co-morbidities and individual circumstances. Management after risk-reducing mastectomy Prophylactic mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer in BRCA carriers by about 90%,2
Continue Reading The Preventive Care marketing team had the opportunity to attend the ACOG District II show in New York a few weeks ago. This year Myriad had a presentation about Incorporating Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment into healthcare professionals’ practices. Dr. Frieder from California attended and spoke along with one of our patients, Cynthia Kimball. Cynthia was…
Continue Reading The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)’s 2012 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada was held November 8th through 10th. Survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and family members gathered to embrace the great strides and impact being made by the NOCC in their mission to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Myriad provided a…
Continue Reading Today’s Myridian Monday spotlight is on John Ryan, the Senior Director of Operations and an employee of Myriad for over 12 years. I have worked at Myriad for over 12 years in a variety of roles. In my current role, I am involved with the operational production of our diagnostic tests. Currently I help manage the…
Continue Reading On September 28th, 2012 Myriad partnered with Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) to educate breast cancer survivors at the Annual LBBC Conference about Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome. In a very casual setting atop the 33rd floor of the Loews Hotel in downtown Philadelphia, Cynthia Kimball – patient advocate and breast cancer survivor and Jill…
Continue Reading This BRCA2 positive patient has had a mastectomy and prostatectomy. Yes, you read that correctly. Meet Robert, a male HBOC carrier and breast cancer survivor! I am 53 years old and yes, a breast cancer survivor!. I raised two sons as a single dad and have two grandchildren, with a third on the way. One…
Continue Reading Leslie had everything planned for her upcoming Thanksgiving feast. Her Christmas shopping lists were in order, and she was ready to host the rehearsal party for her son’s December 28th wedding. What she wasn’t ready for, was the unexpected arrival of cancer. In the 1970s I lost both of my parents to cancer. They were…
Continue Reading In 2010, Congress passed a resolution declaring the last week of September as National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week (September 23–30, 2012) and the last Wednesday of the month as National Previvor Day (September 26, 2012). THE BRAC CHALLENGE During HBOC Week, Myriad will donate to Bright Pink, NOCC (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition),…
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