GynoFiles

For many years genetic testing was virtually unheard of now you can, probably should, and need to decide how to test your genes to understand how to best manage your health care. We have progressed scientific evidence from  testing for the product of your genes, to the genes themselves. Eventually you can both make decisions and maybe in the future treat the errant genes. Myriad Genetics Breast Cancer Gene testing is the most commonly heard of test. Now other companies are coming on board, and offering different types of tests, more competition to bring costs down, and different technologies that would potentially increase accuracy of the test. There is the Gene by Gene test . There is Gene Dx or Ambry Genetics. . Myriad genetics has improved their services with myRisk Hereditary Cancer Panel . On these sites you can find out specific test offerings and perhaps then you can gab with your gyno to figure out if you need more comprehensive testing than any you have had so far.

If you caught Dr. Trupin on the Morning Show on WCIA-TV, back in September of 2012, you would have heard that September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and it is felt that awareness can help conquer ovarian cancer. Each year there are 21,000 women diagnosed and 14,000 women who succumb to ovarian cancer. So seeing your physician to try to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer is an important way to honor Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.  Yet this is what you should not do: ovarian cancer screening if you have no risk factors and no symptoms.  A reported in Ob Gyn News: In the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, a randomized, controlled trial of 78,216 women in the United States, there was no significant difference in the number of ovarian cancer cases diagnosed in women randomized to annual screening vs. usual care (212 vs. 176) over 13 years. However, just to be clear those with risk factors do need to be screened; and those with symp...

Five Breast Tests You May Have Never Had: Is breast cancer inevitable? It seems like it is inevitable, for now, 1/7 American women will have it before death. You can catch up on statics by checking out the Am. Cancer Society’s Fact page: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=5  other cancer facts may be at  Oncolog stat It's most important to follow mammogram guidelines and clinical breast exams with your gyno, but after that there may be other tests that would be useful. I highly recommend our patients with risk factors actually get the last test first, a Gail Scale analysis. I also recommend the Halo breast pap. For those with breast symptoms the ultrasound test is important. And you do not necessarily need a genetic counselor to get the breast cancer gene test, it is done by blood draw and the results come with a very clear pamphlet on what they may mean.However, it is important that you have a physician  whom feels comfortable speakin...

Gynos are still struggling to detect early stage ovarian cancer. The best we've come up with so far is to eliminate risk in those that genetically are at the highest risk. Women with BRCA 1 have about a 50% risk by age 50 and those with BRCA 2 have about an 85% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Ovarian removal in these women can reduce these risks down to extremely low rates. We now think that there is another genetic variant that helps explain the families of women who have risk but test negative for BRCA 1 and 2. This is the new test called PrOvar . It's very new, it's not widely available, and it's in the development phase.Remember, that pelvic examinations, close attention to how you feel, and in some cases pelvic ultrasounds, and when indicated, 3-D imaging will help identify women who already have disease. Once you have disease, Ova1 testing may be indicated to get proper treatment.

Ovaries produce estrogen , even after menopause they produce testosterone which can be converted in the body to some estrogen, so removing one's ovaries can be protective against ovarian cancer and by eliminating estrogen protective against breast cancer. Standard gynecologist recommendations for those at the most risk for breast cancer: women who are BRCA mutation carriers, is to have your ovaries out after age 35 and after you are done having children, or after age 45 regardless whether you have had children or not. Now there is another factor to take into consideration: your weight. It is a big decision and one that should be made in consultation with your own gyno . Newest and larger studies looking at women of various risks from very low risk of breast cancer to higher risk of breast cancer have not consistently supported the idea that you need to remove your ovaries if you are at risk for breast cancer, as was just discussed in a recent blog post. So w...