Video

Opening the Door to Communication with Children About Genetic Mutations

Author(s):

At the 36th Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, Shannon Pulaski, founder of Proactive Genes, sat down with CURE® to discuss how parents can relate important health information, such as genetic mutations, to children of all ages.

Shannon Pulaski, author, patient advocate and founder of Proactive Genes, learned she was BRCA1-positive shortly after her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This genetic mutation meant that she would face a significantly increased chance of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer in her lifetime, for which she underwent prophylactic surgeries and treatments. Since the BRCA mutation could potentially be passed down to her kids, Pulaski was compelled as a mother to share her family health history with her children.

At the 36th Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, Pulaski shared her journey and offered advice to help parents open the door to conversations with their children about their own family health history. She also shared how Proactive Genes helps families start age-appropriate conversations about genetic mutations and heightened risk for cancer.

Related Videos
Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week sheds light on the financial hardships young cancer survivors face, including debt and limited assistance.
CURE spoke with Dr. William C. Huang about what kind of team may be required to treat a patient with metastatic kidney cancer.
Image of woman.
Image of woman.
Image of woman.
Image of man wearing baseball cap backwards.
Image of smiling doctor.
Registered nurse Patricia Jakel emphasizes the importance of educating patients on evolving breast cancer research and the need for routine screenings.
Dr. Debu Tripathy highlights the importance of staying informed on breast cancer advancements and how this empowers patients to make informed decisions.
Image od grey haired Doctor.
Related Content