A Cancer in the Family

What will you learn from that over-the-counter genetic test holiday gift?

Genetics

Genetic Exoneration

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on December 13, 2017

Can we improve on how we help cancer patients and their families learn about their risk for cancer? New test says "Yes. Better than ever."

Can we improve on how we help cancer patients and their families learn about their risk for cancer? New test says "Yes. Better than ever."

Genetics

Should We All Be Tested for Cancer Predisposition Mutations?

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on May 30, 2017

Should genetic testing for cancer genes be part of our routine medical care?

Should genetic testing for cancer genes be part of our routine medical care?

Relapse

Could a Blood Test for Cancer Be Dangerous?

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on March 29, 2017

Early cancer detection seems right. But it can, in reality, be wrong.

Early cancer detection seems right. But it can, in reality, be wrong.

Genetics

Truthiness and Consent

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on December 19, 2016

At times we all need the refuge of "truthiness." But when it comes to health and our origins, knowing is better than not knowing.

At times we all need the refuge of "truthiness." But when it comes to health and our origins, knowing is better than not knowing.

Genetics

New Prospects for Pancreatic Cancer Patients?

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on October 25, 2016

Pancreatic cancer patients can thrive while new data are collected and transformed into surprising and useful knowledge.

Pancreatic cancer patients can thrive while new data are collected and transformed into surprising and useful knowledge.

Does a lung cancer diagnosis lead to new ideas about lifestyle, stress relief and disease? Yes it does.

Smoking

Fighting Lung Cancer Stigmas Saves Lives

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on July 26, 2016

How reframing lung cancer can lead to earlier diagnoses, more knowledge about the disease and maybe, just maybe, a cure.

How reframing lung cancer can lead to earlier diagnoses, more knowledge about the disease and maybe, just maybe, a cure.

How do we manage patient expectations while still offering hope? A retrospective perspective can help.

Health

A Family Health Portrait

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on May 15, 2016

The majority of people with mutations that cause the most common hereditary cancer syndromes are not aware of their mutations.

The majority of people with mutations that cause the most common hereditary cancer syndromes are not aware of their mutations.

Knowing what you know — and don’t — about your family history is one of the most important tools we have to save lives in predictable and, more often than not, unpredictable ways.

Genetics

What Can We Do to Decrease Our Risk for Cancer?

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on May 8, 2016

The idea that cancer is fate and we are simple victims, is at best a half-truth.

The idea that cancer is fate and we are simple victims, is at best a half-truth.

Genetics

Will Home Genetic Tests Become Commonplace?

Theodora Ross M.D. PhD. on March 28, 2016

Are you curious about your genetic inheritance? Attempts to quell this curiosity at home with a genetic test are doomed to failure.

Are you curious about your genetic inheritance? Attempts to quell this curiosity at home with a genetic test are doomed to failure.

One patient's moonshot

What human activities lead to progress in cancer research? One patient's story says that passion, fundamental knowledge and "false" leads will forge the path.