Article

Health Advocate Amy Byer Shainman Discusses Risk Management of Hereditary Cancers

When it comes to managing your risk of cancer, especially when dealing with a familial cancer risk, "what is right for one person, may not be right for another," says Amy Byer Shainman.

When it comes to managing your risk of cancer, especially when dealing with a familial cancer risk, "what is right for one person, may not be right for another," says Amy Byer Shainman.

Shainman had preventive surgeries after she found she was at high risk for breast and ovarian cancers due to a BRCA mutation. Several family members had been diagnosed with cancer, which led her to meet with a genetic counselor and receive genetic testing. She is now a health advocate for those at risk of hereditary-associated cancers and blogs at http://thebrcaresponder.blogspot.com.

"Get the education; what are your individual risks? What do they mean?" she advises. In addition to genetic counseling, weigh all your options, she suggsts, including possible chemoprevention, increased screening or preventive surgery.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Image of man with text.
Dr. Breelyn Wilky explains how vague symptoms and testing challenges delay GIST diagnoses
Mark Daniels, an 83-year-old veteran and former fighter pilot, was shocked by his lymphoma diagnosis because he maintained exceptional physical fitness.
Image of man with text.
Image of women, with text.
Image of Dr. with text.
Daniel Jernazian, who beat cancer twice, credits his sports mindset for survival and calls it winning his ‘life World Championship’.
Patients in rural or underserved areas may have worse outcomes, highlighting the need for early support to address care access barriers.
Image of man with text.
Dr. Emre Yekedüz discusses how ASCO 2025 highlights precision medicine, biomarkers and the gut microbiome as keys to advancing kidney cancer care.
Related Content
Image of women.
July 10th 2025

Diagnosis Day: What I Felt, What I Learned

Patti McGee
I found a lump and was shocked to learn it was breast cancer, but over 22 years I’ve learned healing takes time, asking for help is strength, and hope grows.
cancer horizons logo: a white microphone on a navy blue background
March 11th 2024

Oncology Approvals, Psychological Outcomes for Survivors and an Ovarian Cancer Vaccine

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
Last week we saw some FDA approvals come through, as well as research that explored the psychosocial outcomes of individuals who survived pediatric rhabdosarcoma.
Experts discuss treatment options for those with ER-positive, HER2-negative stage 4 breast cancer: © stock.adobe.com.
July 9th 2025

Understanding Therapeutic Options for ER+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer

Kristie L. Kahl
Dr. Alicia Arnold and Dr. Priyanka Raval discuss first- and later-line treatment options for those with ER-positive, HER2-negative stage 4 breast cancer.
FDA, Cancer Vaccine Updates and a Misguiding of Breast Cancer Treatment
February 5th 2024

FDA, Cancer Vaccine Updates and a Misguiding of Breast Cancer Treatment

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
One cancer vaccine may still be years away from being available, a breast cancer test may be misguiding treatments for Black women and the review of two oncology regimens are being expedited by the FDA.
Laura Yeager is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Catch up on all of Laura's blogs here!
July 8th 2025

Dealing With the Unpredictability of Cancer

Laura Yeager
My cancer journey taught me that nothing is certain; however, with support, humor and acceptance, we can weather the ups and downs.
In a phase 2 study, 52% of patients treated with Bria-IMT plus a checkpoint inhibitor for metastatic breast cancer were alive at one year: © stock.adobe.com.
July 8th 2025

Bria-IMT Combo Shows Survival in Phase 2 Breast Cancer Trial

Spencer Feldman
In a phase 2 study, 52% of patients treated with Bria-IMT plus a checkpoint inhibitor for metastatic breast cancer were alive at one year.