Key points from today’s guests:
Priscilla Brittine, lives with CDH1 gene mutation, had preventive stomach removal and mastectomy
- When she was 14, her mother died of stomach cancer. Since then, she’s lost cousins and other family members to the same cancer.
- She received genetic testing at The University of Kansas Cancer Center and they discovered she had a genetic mutation called CDH1, putting her at high risk of stomach and breast cancers. For the stomach cancer, it was more than an 80 percent chance she would get it.
- With three boys ages 11, 13 and 17, she wanted to be around as long as she could for them, so she elected to have a preventive surgery to remove her stomach.
- When they removed her stomach, they found that it actually had cancer that was not able to be detected yet, so the move likely saved her life.
- She also had a preventive mastectomy and reconstruction, and is serving as an advocate for awareness.
- She felt like she was able to take things into her own hands and determine her own fate because her mom, uncle, and other family members didn't get that chance. They unfortunately died at a very young age, but she said she had the knowledge and the power to change that for her.
Dr. Kelsey Larson, breast surgical oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Many patients who come in to see to us about this type of a mastectomy already have received their genetic testing results and have some information from the genetic counselors.
- We have a really excellent team here called the Breast Cancer Prevention Team that educates patients more about their risk of breast cancer. The prevention team helps them to do things like stay on top of their imaging, talk about any lifestyle changes or perhaps medications you can take the help to lower your risk of breast cancer.
- Ultimately, people decide when they feel they're ready to start exploring surgery. They'll meet with us several times on the surgery side to learn more about the pros and cons and really find the time in their life that might be right for them.
- Many people are surprised that genetic testing is available. It is something that insurance often covers based on your family history or if not covered, it's actually quite affordable. And so for patients who have a family history of cancer, even a couple of family members who want to be proactive, who want to take a proactive stance with their health, it's really a nice opportunity.
- We encourage everyone to come and talk to us, even if they're not sure they want to have a preventive mastectomy. My job is not to try to advocate for you having surgery, but to give you the facts and the information to make that informed choice.
- If you want to learn more about what you can do for your risk of cancer just come see us. We have people who want to give you information and to talk to you no matter where you're at in that decision making process.
Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8 a.m. is the next Open Mics with Dr. Stites. When prostate cancer spreads, a new kind of treatment can seek it out and destroy it. Learn more about the radioactive particle that doctors compare to a heat-seeking missile -- providing a better life with fewer side effects.
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