Possible Signs of Hereditary Cancer

This is the last of the infographics I created about germline mutations. This is the part that is often missed when trying to "connect the dots" in hereditary cancer.

Sadly, this lack of knowledge about how one single germline mutation can cause different cancers in family members is why genetic testing is often not recommended for some individuals who may be at risk for hereditary cancer. I know, because it tragically happened to my late wife.

That's why sharing family health history, genetic testing, and genetic counseling are so important. Genetic testing saves lives. Knowledge is power.

You can download the graphic here: www.MARKiX.net/germline

 #germline #GermlineMutation #GeneticTestingSaveLives #GeneticTesting #previvor #HereditaryCancer #GeneticCounseling
#BRCA2 #BRCA1 #CHEK2 #ATM #PALB2 #PTEN #MLH1 #MSH2 #MSH6 #TP53 #LynchSyndrome #1FORCECommunity #FacingOurRisk #HBOC #BeAFORCEofChange

DNA, Mutations, and Blood Relatives

I created this infographic for My Faulty Gene, a nonprofit organization. My Faulty Gene "provides information and assistance to underserved, uninsured, and underinsured individuals whose family medical history suggests genetic testing might be helpful in identifying an increased risk of disease due to a genetic mutation."

So many people seem to struggle with genetics. They just don't seem to understand that our DNA connects us to so many people -- and diseases. Sometimes I get confused looks when I try to explain about the BRCA2 germline mutation in my late wife's family and how so many in her family are affected by the exact same variant. That's why I created this.

A Simple Explanation of BRCA Genes

Because rendering a piece of artwork is easier for me as a professional illustrator than trying to explain over and over verbally about my previvor adult child's and late wife’s BRCA2 variant, I created this…

Again, please share the graphic. Knowledge is power!
A PDF can be downloaded at genetionary.org:

What is a Germline Mutation?

Download the PDF here

When I talk or write about hereditary cancer as an advocate, I often mention "germline" when referring to mutations that can cause cancer. But I’ve come to realize that many people don’t seem to know what I’m talking about. So I created this graphic about germline mutations and had it reviewed by a certified genetic counselor. (Thank you, Emily Goldberg, MS, CGC, at JScreen.org!)

Tragically, it's because of the lack of basic understanding of genetics, even among some health care professionals, that I’m now a widower.

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Read my story about this graphic at CureToday.com

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One germline mutation, a broken BRCA2 gene, that I can now recite by heart, has caused several different cancers and numerous cancer deaths in my late wife’s family. The same BRCA2 mutation has been passed down in my wife’s family for at least four generations. And it might have already been passed to the fifth generation.

But now that the specific mutation has been identified, the cycle of cancer can be broken. That’s why genetic knowledge, genetic testing, and the sharing of family health information are so important.

What is in your germline?