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ROCHESTER, N.Y. \u2013 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and genetic testing proved to be lifesaving for the women featured in this story.<\/p>\n
Jodi Lavery discovered she had a BRCA-2 gene mutation, increasing her risk for breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and melanoma cancers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI decided to have preventative surgery, so I had my ovaries removed, I had a bilateral mastectomy,\u201d Lavery said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ifeyinwa Stitt, an OB-GYN and spokesperson for Myriad Genetics, emphasized the importance of genetic testing for those with a strong family history of cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have a strong family history of cancer, whatever cancer that might be, that means that you are at an increased risk of developing cancer at some point in your lifetime,\u201d said Stitt.<\/p>\n
Alice Pena, a local breast cancer survivor, decided to undergo genetic testing after her breast cancer diagnosis, not only for herself but for her family.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing so family-oriented, I just decided I needed to do this not only for me but for my family,\u201d Pena said.<\/p>\n
Pena consulted nurse practitioner Carol Lustig at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, who explained the process of panel testing for various cancer-related genes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen someone comes to us for genetic testing, we talk about testing genes that are associated with just that organ or genes associated with all kinds of other cancers. This is called panel testing,\u201d Lustig said.<\/p>\n
Pena\u2019s test revealed a mutation in her CHEK2 gene, which meant she had a 50% chance of passing it to her children. Her daughter, Melissa Selner, also tested positive for the mutation.<\/p>\n
Selner\u2019s doctor ordered an MRI, which led to the discovery of a mass. She had breast cancer. She was only 37.<\/p>\n
\u201cI broke down bawling in tears,\u201d Selner said.<\/p>\n
Selner credits genetic testing for saving her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wholeheartedly believed that her [her mother\u2019s] cancer saved my life,\u201d Selner said.<\/p>\n
Selner plans to have her daughter tested when she is older, recognizing the life-saving potential of genetic knowledge.<\/p>\n
Insurance often covers genetic testing, so those with a family history of cancer should consult their doctor. However, it\u2019s important to remember that not having a genetic mutation does not guarantee being cancer-free.<\/p>\n
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