The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimated last year that around 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes. And since November is a time when we often get together with relatives, some of you may be wondering, “How worried should I be about Diabetes based on my family history?” This episode will help to answer some of those questions.
Read Story
There are many pink ribbon displays and charity walks each year to support the many people diagnosed with breast cancer. Each year leads to more scientific advances and discoveries about how cancer develops and breakthroughs that may lead to more effective treatments. Genes have become an important predictor for how cancer may behave as well as for determining if family members may be at risk to develop cancer too.
As a licensed and certified genetic counselor who works with consumers of genetic DNA tests from companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA, I often field medical and health questions about Alzheimer’s disease. Some of the companies behind consumer DNA tests provide health risk information on certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. One of the more common questions I receive is, “Now that I know I have a higher Alzheimer’s risk, what should I do?”
The COVID-19 pandemic, racial uprisings, and the resulting economic recession have impacted many people’s mental health. One study suggests that ~4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, up from ~1 in 10 adults before the pandemic.
After becoming a parent, I realized that all parents want their children to have a wonderful life. If we could choose, many parents would want them to have the perfect job, the perfect kids and ultimately a long healthy life. As our kids grow, we hope that our kids do not have the same health issues or mental health problems that may run in our families.
I am a genetic counselor with a PhD in neuropsychiatric genetics. I specialize in helping families who live with psychiatric disorders. From my experience, I know that when someone in a family is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder like schizophrenia, it can be a very hard thing - for not only the person with the diagnosis, but also for family members.
Pharmacogenetics refers to using inherited genetic differences to help healthcare providers decide what medications to give patients and at what dosage. The goal is a “personalized” approach
When Al Roker announced his prostate cancer diagnosis, he shared his desire to use his platform to educate others, presenting an ideal time to continue the conversation. Prostate cancer is common for men--1 in 9 will develop prostate cancer over their lifetime.
It's not surprising that awareness efforts for hereditary breast cancer focus on the women in the family, but it's important not to leave the men out. Not only can men get breast cancer, their family health history holds important information to help relatives determine their cancer risk.