Confronting Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Sue Friedman, D.V.M., is the founder and executive director of Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered. Her numerous articles on hereditary cancer have appeared in Oncology Times, CURE, Gene Watch, and the Boston Globe, among others. Rebecca Sutphen, M.D., is a nationally recognized clinical and research expert in hereditary cancer, professor of genetics at the University of South Florida, and chief medical officer of Informed Medical Decisions. Kathy Steligo is a freelance writer specializing in business and health topics and author of The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook.

• Foreword by Mark H. Greene, M.D.AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart I: Understanding Cancer, Genetics, and Risk1. Breast and Ovarian Cancer BasicsMost Cancers Aren't HereditaryAn Introduction to Breast CancerAn Introduction to Ovarian CancerOther Hereditary Cancers2. A Peek Inside: Your Genes at WorkThe Evolution of Genetic Discovery: From Peas to BRCAYour Genetic ABCs . . . and a DMutations: Spelling Errors in Your DNA CookbookHow Mutations Lead to CancerWhat's So Special about BRCA?3. Defining RiskMaking Sense of StatisticsGetting Personal: Factors That Modify Your RiskIt's a Numbers Game4. Hereditary Cancer: What's Swimming in Your Gene Pool?Mutations from Mom or DadHidden Risk in the Family TreeHBOC and Other Hereditary Cancer SyndromesPlotting Your Genetic PedigreePart II: Assessing Your Risk5. Genetic CounselingThe Value of CounselingWhat to Expect from the ProcessWhy You Need an Expert to Unravel Your Genetic HistoryDeciding Who Should Test First6. Genetic Testing: Facing Your Hereditary HoroscopeWhich Test Is Right for You?Powerful, Yet ImperfectIssues for Survivors and Women in Treatment7. Decoding Your Test ResultsLife, Interrupted: It's PositiveGood News! You're a True NegativeWhen No Might Mean MaybeGenetic VariantsNow What? Implications for You and Your FamilyPart III: Managing Your Risk: Your DNA Doesn't Have to Be Your Destiny8. Early Detection StrategiesHigh-Risk Surveillance for Breast CancerHigh-Risk Surveillance for Ovarian CancerIs It Cancer?Screening for Other Hereditary Cancers9. ChemopreventionRisk-Reducing Medications for Breast CancerAlternatives under StudyChemoprevention for Ovarian Cancer10. Mastectomy for Risk Reduction and TreatmentReducing Cancer Risk by Removing the BreastsSkin-Sparing ProceduresTreating Breast Cancer with MastectomyWho Should Perform Your Surgery?Risks and Recovery11. Reconstruction: New Breasts after MastectomyDelaying Reconstruction to Complete Breast Cancer TreatmentLiving with a Flat ChestSaline and Silicone ImplantsOptions for Using Your Own TissueOptional Last Steps: Adding Nipples and AreolasGreat Expectations: Surgery and RecoveryChoosing the Right Surgeon12. Oophorectomy and Other Risk-Reducing Gynecologic SurgeriesOophorectomy ProceduresShould You Have a Hysterectomy Too?Oophorectomy, Mastectomy: Either, Neither, or Both?Issues for Breast Cancer Survivors13. Dealing with Menopause and Quality-of-Life IssuesSymptoms of Surgical MenopauseLong-Term Side EffectsShould You Take Hormones?Issues for Breast Cancer SurvivorsPart IV: Living with BRCA: Issues and Answers14. Managing Lifestyle ChoicesThe Three-Legged Stool: Nutrition, Weight, and Physical ActivityAlcohol: An Unwise ChoiceOther Lifestyle Risk Factors15. Sharing Information with Friends, Family, and CoworkersSharing Risk and Genetic Testing Information with FamilyIssues for Spouses, Partners, and People You DateWhat Should You Tell Employers and Coworkers?16. Young and at High RiskShould You Consider Testing Now?Diagnostic DifficultiesDealing with a Diagnosis before MenopausePlanning Your Family, Preserving Your FertilityOophorectomy in Young WomenSorting through Emotions17. How BRCA Affects MenMen Get Breast Cancer TooHigh Risk for Prostate CancerOther BRCA-Related Cancers18. Diagnosis: Hereditary CancerHow Important Is a Second Opinion?Treating Hereditary CancersMaking Breast Cancer Treatment DecisionsOvarian Cancer IssuesThe Importance of Clinical Trials19. Putting the Pieces Together to Make Difficult DecisionsStart at the Beginning: Should You Be Tested?Making Decisions to Reduce Your RiskMaking Decisions about TreatmentFrom Confused to Clear in Fifteen StepsNotesIndex

A fine resource discussing the challenges of living in a high-risk body. Midwest Book Review An insightful and informative read. Nursing Times A top pick for any breast cancer collection. Midwest Book Review This book is an excellent resource for lay people trying to understand and deal with inherited breast and ovarian cancer. -- Judith Offman Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare