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It was during her first-ever mammogram that Cori Williams learned that she may have early signs of breast cancer. If she does, Cori caught it early, thanks to another appointment she made months ago with a genetic counselor who told her then to start her mammograms now. “What they found was very tiny, but by the time it would have formed into something that I could have felt, it might have been too late since, because of my age, I wouldn’t have had a mammogram unless I actually felt something,” says Cori. Because of a strong family history of cancer Cori, like a growing number of women, decided to get a genetic test at her doctor’s office. It turns out that she has mutated genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, but knowing exactly what that meant wasn’t clear, until she came to Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. “We not only take into account that genetic test result, that one piece of paper, but also the family history and the medical history, so it’s a much more complete evaluation and it’s a much more complete risk assessment,” says Amy Sturm, a genetic counselor at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. If tests who that you have mutated versions of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, your odds of getting breast cancer jump to 85 percent and your kids will have a 50 percent risk. Sturm says that genetic test at your doctor’s office might offer some insight, but may not tell the whole story. Tests may come back negative with these two specific areas, and if the results aren’t read thoroughly they might give some women a false sense of security. “This person might still have a strong family history of breast cancer that they do need to be concerned about. That strong family history of breast cancer may just not be caused by BRCA 1 or BRCA 2,” says Sturm. Before you decide whether or not you need a test, sit down and outline your family tree in detail. If there is a strong family history, talk to your doctor to see if a test is right for you. Above all, Cori recommends, remember that getting results and reading them are two different things, and that you should consider who does each. Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and be eligible for Health News, discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7. HealthNewsDigest.com We also create, produce and distribute tv/cable public service campaigns: HealthyTelevisionProductions Top of Page 
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