Hi, redditors! We’re genetic counseling experts with the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but many of us do what we can to raise awareness all year long. As a part of our job, we help people understand: hereditary risk for breast cancer; how those with a higher risk of cancer can understand their testing and treatment options; the role of genetic counselors in healthcare; and how to educate family members about their potential risk of disease. Here’s a bit about those of us answering your questions today, one of whom has a personal experience with genetic testing: Caroline Lieber, MS, CGC: I served as Director of the Joan H Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College for 15 years. After 35 years as both an academic clinician and an educator, I wanted to see what genomics was all about from the consumer perspective. The BRCA gene screening test seemed like a no-brainer. I’m not from a high-risk population, and there’s no strong history of cancer in my family. I offered up my saliva without giving it much thought. When I got an email a week later asking me to make a genetic counseling appointment, I thought it was a normal part of the process. I made an appointment with a genetic counselor I know personally. After she called me back – a call that must have been terribly difficult for her – nothing seemed normal for a long time. I learned I had an altered BRCA1 gene. Read more about my experience and the emotions is brought up here. As a genetic counselor I always felt I understood the emotional impact genetic test results have on patients. Now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, I see even more clearly the importance of talking to a genetic counselor about these issues, especially before testing. Ask me anything about my genetic testing experience, cancer genetics and the ever evolving nature of genomic findings. For example, since I received my genetic test results, there has been updated research on my particular alteration. Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, CGC: I am the immediate past president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and one of NSGC’s Cancer Experts. I can discuss hereditary cancer syndromes such as Lynch syndrome and hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer, as well as my experience as a public policy advocate for genetic testing. In my job, I help patients who have a higher chance of genetic diseases understand genetic testing results, navigate through treatment options, and educate family members about their potential risk of disease. Sometimes this means giving them the hard news that they have an increased risk for cancer. When this happens, as a genetic counselor, I am there to help them understand how their genetic test results might influence their surveillance and treatment options, as well how the result impacts their family members. Sometimes, it also means just listening to their fears and addressing their concerns. Ask me anything about my job as a genetic counselor. We’ll be back at 12:30 p.m. EST to answer your questions, ask us anything! Want to know more about how genetics affects your risk for diseases, or how to capture your family health history? Sign up for our free webinar on Nov. 2

Hi Reddit! We’re experts with Bright Pink. Helping young women receive better breast & ovarian healthcare is what we do best. Today we’re here to talk about breast cancer risk assessment. Many people, including some health care providers, believe that young women in their 20s and 30s don’t need to worry about breast and ovarian cancer. But the urgency is real. It’s critical to identify women who are at increased risk— based on genetic history— in time to initiate early screening and risk reduction. Additionally, research has shown that early adulthood is when people establish their lifetime health behaviors, making it a critical time to educate women on healthy lifestyles and the changes can reduce their risk. Cancer prevention starts with appropriately identifying your risk level and working with your healthcare provider on a personal risk management plan. Bright Pink educates both young women and healthcare providers on risk assessment and management through research-based digital tools, in-person workshops and social media. In the last two years alone Bright Pink has helped over 400,000 women assess their risk and trained over 6,000 healthcare providers to give better breast and ovarian healthcare to their patients. Here’s a bit about those of us answering your questions today: Rebecca Bouck: I am Vice President of Programs at Bright Pink. I can discuss how an advocacy group is able to successfully reach and educate over half a million women on their risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Dr. Huma Q. Rana, MD: I am a board certified Internist and Geneticist and the Clinical Director of the Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I am also an Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School and a Medical Lecturer for Bright Pink. I can explain how health providers assess and manage breast cancer risk in their patients, and the role that genetics can play. If you would like to assess your own breast cancer risk, visit Webby Award-winning AssessYourRisk.org. You can also find more information about our work at BrightPink.org and ExploreYourGenetics.org. We’ll be back at 1 pm EST (10 am PST, 6 pm UTC) to answer your questions, ask us anything! Note from mods: if you are interested in issues surrounding men and breast cancer, please check out the AMA we hosted earlier this week with the Male Breast Cancer Coalition! EDIT: We have concluded our AMA and will no longer answer new questions. Thanks to everyone for bringing up such important topics.

Hi, Reddit! We’re advocates and content experts from Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Male Breast Cancer Coalition, joined today by Scott M Weissman, MS, CGC, of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. We recognize the unique issues faced by men diagnosed with breast cancer. We will answer your questions about breast cancer in men, including: • What it’s like to be diagnosed with what is usually considered a “woman’s disease” • The role of genetics and family risk • Ways to get emotional support and resources that help you cope with diagnosis and treatment Living Beyond Breast Cancer: For over 25 years Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) has been helping women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and the people who love them. We work with leading experts in the medical and wellness fields to provide trusted and easy-to-understand information to help people make informed decisions. We bring people together from across the country and beyond through our national conferences, monthly webinars and signature yoga fundraiser Reach & Raise. Learn more at LBBC.ORG. With you, for you. Male Breast Cancer Coalition: The Male Breast Cancer Coalition, a not-for-profit patient advocacy organization, brings everyone together to educate the world about male breast cancer. We are on a mission to build awareness through the wisdom and experiences of survivors. We visit high schools and colleges around the country sharing journeys and educating audiences. We participate in events around the world and attend conferences, so we can become more knowledgeable and advocate. We want people to be informed. Breast cancer does not discriminate and we want everyone to know “Men Have Breasts Too.” Learn more about our advocates and experts answering your questions: Lori M. Berlin: I volunteer with the Male Breast Cancer Coalition because I lost a male cousin to triple negative metastatic breast cancer, and he saved my life. If it was not for Bernard, who was negative for a BRCA mutation, my genetic counselor would not have run any tests on me. I am BRCA2 positive, and because of a previous high risk LCIS diagnosis, I opted for a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy. Good thing, because the pathology indicated I was going to get breast cancer in both breasts. Now I raise awareness of breast cancer in men every single day. Josh Fernandez: I am Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Digital Media Specialist, playing a primary role in coordinating and growing the organization’s online presence informed by the organization’s marketing strategy, employing web analytics, social media messaging and e-communications. I also manage LBBC’s presence across online channels, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and our award-winning blog. I started working for LBBC in 2012 as a writer and web content coordinator. Erin Rowley: I am Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Writer and Content Coordinator, serving as author of select LBBC publications and coordinating publication reprints, photo shoots and our Ask-the-Expert program in support of the mission, programs and services of LBBC. I also write medical, psychosocial and promotional articles and blog posts for online and print publications. Scott M. Weissman, MS, CGC: I am a past co-chair of the National Society of Genetic Counselors Familial Cancer Risk Assessment Special Interest Group and a cancer genetics expert. As founder of Chicago Genetic Consultants, LLC (chicagogenetics.com), I bring the science of genetics and genetic testing directly to people who desire genetic counseling. I have more than 15 years of experience, and understand all aspects of the genetic counseling and testing journey. I can discuss everything from the decision to seek advice, the pros and cons of genetic testing, how genetic information can impact an individual and their family, and issues related to insurance coverage, privacy and discrimination concerns. I can also discuss hereditary cancer syndromes and how to educate family members about the potential risk of disease. Carl “Mac” Holmes Jr.: I spent my career in aviation, first serving for 27 years in the United States Air Force as an enlisted jet mechanic and crew chief and then as a commissioned officer and Air Force Pilot. I flew T37, T38, C-130 and C-141 aircraft and served as Chief of Training, Chief of Plans, Instructor/Evaluator and Command Pilot before becoming Squadron Commander of the 155 Air Lift Squadron. I retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2001 as a Lt. Colonel. My second career as Aircraft Captain for Federal Express began while I was serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. In my capacity with Federal Express, I served as an instructor, evaluator and line check airman for the company and was an FAA designee before my diagnosis of Metastatic Breast Cancer. I faced early stage breast cancer in 2012 and prostate cancer in 2013. After successfully completing treatments I returned to work. During a regular checkup my physician discovered my breast cancer had returned. Now facing the realities of living with metastatic breast cancer I decided to take on a new mission. I now work closely with the Male Breast Cancer Coalition to raise awareness of male breast cancer, metastatic disease and the need for additional research funding. I am a graduate from Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s “Hear My Voice” Program and have been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense as a peer grant reviewer for the Breast Cancer Research Program, a program that supports innovative, high-impact breast cancer research. I also serve on the MET UP advisory council and represents disparities in metastatic breast cancer. We’ll be back at 1 pm EST (10 am PST, 6 pm UTC) to answer your questions, ask us anything!

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