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…
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading
To date Myriadians across the country have successfully walked, fundraised and educated colon, ovarian, and breast cancer survivors and caregivers in 7 NOCC Walks to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer, 1 Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) Undy 5000 and 1 Bright Pink FabFest. For all nine events a total of $10,680 has been raised…
Continue Reading This past September Team Myriad joined more than 500 women for Bright Pink’s annual health and wellness event, FabFest 2013. The event was co-hosted by Giuliana Rancic and Lindsey Avner, and led by Chicago’s top fitness professionals. This action-packed day pushed individuals to challenge themselves physically and inspired everyone to make lifestyle changes to proactively…
Continue Reading Break Out the Teal! September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month! According to the National Cancer Institute’s website 22,240 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013. Approximately 11 – 15% of these diagnosed ovarian cancer cases are caused by mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. That means that 1 in 7 women who…
Continue Reading 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 Today, May 8th 2013 marks the very first World Ovarian Cancer Day. Today several organizations from around the world will join forces to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and to help educate the public about its symptoms. Approximately 11-15% of ovarian cancer cases are caused by mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. When someone…
Continue Reading Myriad is excited to announce the launch of the online Hereditary Cancer Quiz. This quiz was designed for the general public as an easy to use, online quiz that can help determine if you are a candidate for hereditary cancer testing. The intent of the quiz is to not only to see if you are…
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 This fall Myriad participated in eleven National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Walks to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer with just one more walk to go in San Antonio, Texas this November. Between team building, fundraising, information giving, walking and just plain having fun, Myriad was able to raise awareness about both hereditary breast and ovarian…
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 Today was an inspirational day here at Myriad. We had two amazing speakers on hand to discuss their organizations, David Barley, CEO of National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, (NOCC) as well as a representative from Bright Pink. It was very powerful to hear about all the amazing advocacy work each organization is doing. (Pictured Above: David Barley,…
Continue Reading September 26, 2012 is National Previvor Day. At Myriad, we believe knowledge is power, and Previvors embody this sentiment. A Previvor refers to an individual who carries a strong predisposition to cancer but has not developed cancer. These individuals proactively sought out knowledge to determine if they inherited a gene mutation by having genetic testing…
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),…
Continue Reading