by Bag It Team | Aug 4, 2023 | Educational Articles
You may worry that having cancer could mean your children will get cancer too. Cancer itself is not passed down (inherited) from parents to children. But a genetic change (mutation) that increases the risk (possibility) of cancer can be passed down if it is present in a parent’s egg or sperm cells. While most cancer is due to random chance or environmental risk factors, up to 10% of all cancers may be caused by inherited genetic changes.
If a person inherits a genetic change from a parent, it does not mean they will definitely get cancer, but the risk (chances) is higher. It also means that their parents,
children, and brothers and sisters have a 50% chance of having the same genetic change and a higher risk of getting cancer. Their blood relatives on that side of the family (mother’s side or father’s side) like aunts, uncles and cousins may also have the same genetic change. Genetic testing for hereditary cancer can help a family to learn which, if any, relatives have a higher chance of getting cancer. It can also bring relief when there is no inherited cancer in the family.
Even when there is no gene mutation found in a family, sometimes cancer is more common than expected. This is called familial cancer, and happens in up to 20% of all cancers. It is not known why familial cancers happen. Some possible reasons are unknown genetic risk factors not yet included on genetic testing or lifestyle or environmental factors shared by multiple family members.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or have a family history of cancer, genetic testing may be useful to find out if hereditary cancer is in the family. Genetic testing can give your family members useful knowledge about their health so they can take steps to lower their risk of getting cancer through lifestyle changes, health screenings, and other medical care recommended by their doctor. Ask your doctor if genetic testing is appropriate for your family’s situation.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing does not prevent or treat cancer. It is a laboratory test that looks for changes (mutations) in a person’s genes that could help:
- Show if they have a higher risk for certain cancers.
- Learn if this increased risk could be passed to children or other family members.
- Change medical care, including knowing better about when to screen for cancer, and how frequently.
Genetic testing does not say if someone has cancer, or that they are guaranteed to have cancer. But it can tell you if you have a higher risk than most people.
Testing is usually done with a small sample of blood, but it can sometimes be done with saliva, cells from inside the cheek, or skin cells. It will usually take several weeks to get the results.
Not everyone needs to get genetic testing. Ask your doctor if this type of testing could benefit you and your care.
Making Decisions About Genetic Testing
To decide if genetic testing is recommended for you, your doctor will have a conversation with you to understand your risk and your family’s history with cancer. They will ask you for important details such as which blood relatives were diagnosed with cancer, their age at diagnosis, and what kinds of cancer they had. Some people feel uncomfortable discussing their family members’ health with others, but keep in mind that your healthcare team wants to help and honor you and your family.
Based on the family health information you explain to your doctor, a genetic counselor can be very helpful. A genetic counselor is a healthcare professional with specialized training in genetics and counseling to support patients wanting more information about how inherited conditions might affect them or their families. Genetic counselors also explain the meaning of genetic test results in the context of a patient’s family history, and help patients and their families understand this information. They will describe the genetic testing in detail, including the pros and cons of testing, and exploring psychosocial implications of genetic testing before you make this personal decision. If testing is done, they can explain what the results mean for you and for your family.
Cancer can be very overwhelming and knowing that there is a chance that it runs in your family can be difficult. To begin with, you did not cause your cancer, and getting cancer is not your fault or anyone else’s fault. It is important to take it one step at a time and remember that there are professionals who can help you and your family with your concerns.
If you are tested, keep a copy of your report to find out what tests were given and what the results were. Keep this as part of your permanent health record.
Additional Resources
Find genetic counselors | https://findageneticcounselor.nsgc.org/
Learn which cancers have genetic tests | https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/genetics/genetic-testing-cancer-risk
Frequently asked questions about genetic testing | https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet
How to get genetic testing | https://www.facingourrisk.org/info/hereditary-cancer-and-genetic-testing/how-to-get-testing/where-to-get-testing
by Bag It Team | Jul 7, 2023 | Educational Articles, Uncategorized
A cancer diagnosis brings changes, challenges and new information needs to your life. Fortunately, there are many services and programs available to support you and your family. 
Your healthcare team (especially social workers and navigators) can be a wealth of information about the resources available. You and your caregivers and family members can also seek out the many services available in your community and virtually.
You may benefit from a support group, a social group, a yoga or meditation class, housekeeping services, physical activity programs (e.g. LiveStrong at the YMCA) or places where you can get help paying for medical care or living expenses. There is something for everyone whether you are ready today, tomorrow or in a few years so take advantage of all the wonderful work that organizations are doing t ohelp those diagnosed with cancer and their friends and family. Cast a wide net to find the exact kind of support you need to help you live your best life with a cancer diagnosis.
Are you a survivor or caregiver? We encourage you to seek out support services and programs near you. Are you a healthcare provider? Take a few minutes to learn about the many resources nationally or in your community that can benefit your patients.
Here are some of the types of support and information we provide in our Bag and Cancer Resource Center. (To explore resources on your own, see tips below.)
- Contact info for programs that help with practical needs including financial assistance, transportation and lodging.
- Lists of organizations providing support groups and resources for 14 categories of types of cancer such as blood, breast, brain and lung.
- Resources for clinical trials, legal rights and supportive care.
- Specialized help for populations groups such as American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Latino/Latina, LGBTQI+, Black/African Americans and adolescents to young adults.
Sometimes forgotten is the need for social support. Barbara L. Andersen, PhD at The Ohio State University and Caroline Dorfman, PhD at Duke University wrote The Importance of Social Support for People with Cancer that includes links to other articles such as Six Ways to Support a Friend with Cancer.
Cancer Collaborative of Southern Arizona
Last month, Bag It Cancer, as part of the Cancer Collaborative of Southern Arizona held an Open House for Healthcare Providers to share with them the numerous services and resources provided by nonprofit organizations in our community to help their patients. The providers who attended were very positive and excited to learn about all the programs available and gathered lots of resources they can share with their patients and their families.
The purpose of the Cancer Collaborative of Arizona (CCA) is to provide a community supporting our common mission – providing resources and support for those dealing with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
How to Find Support Services and Programs Near You
- Ask your healthcare team if they offer support services and programs at their facility, or where you can find them locally.
- Check with other cancer medical providers in your area. Many serve all patients, no matter where they receive treatment.
- Contact the national offices of large cancer nonprofits to see if they have a local chapter in your area.
- Contact local nonprofits that offer programs for your type of cancer.
- Check with faith-based organizations, local libraries, community centers, and health departments.
- For seniors, reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging.
- Ask other people with cancer and their caregivers you meet along the way.
Explore Our Vetted Support Services List
There are many resources and organizations offering cancer information and all types of support for people diagnosed with cancer and those around them. But it can be tricky and take a lot of time to sort through them to find sources that are reliable, and have what you are looking for.
The vetted resource lists on the Resources document at right may have everything you need–or it is a good place to start if you prefer to do your own research. We’ve also added phone numbers if you prefer to call and speak to someone.
by Bag It Team | Jun 12, 2023 | Educational Articles
June is Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the impact of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals in our communities. However, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to have many struggles, including receiving good healthcare, largely due to past experiences or fear of discrimination of providers.
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) reports that stigmatization, hate-violence, and discrimination are still major barriers to the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Additional challenges for LGBTQIA+ individuals include a higher risk of certain conditions, less access to health care and worse health outcomes. These are partially due to a lack of data, lack of knowledge from healthcare providers for these patients and issues related to social determinants of health. According to the National LGBT Cancer Network a cluster of lifestyle factors including drinking alcohol, smoking, being an unhealthy weight, HIV and HPV infections, and not going in for screenings are all risk factors found to increase cancer incidence and late-stage diagnosis in this population.
Here are a few additional facts:
- 1 million. The number of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors in the country today (National LGBT Cancer Network, 2020)
- 7 types of cancer disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ people, including anal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and uterine cancer (Cancer.net)
- Transgender individuals are significantly less likely to be screened for breast and colorectal cancer compared with cisgender individuals (AACR, 2021)
The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 152,000 new cancer cases and
more than 48,785 cancer deaths among the LGBTQ+ people this year.
LGBTIQIA+ Community Resources
Part of Bag It Cancer’s mission is to provide respected resources to everyone concerned about their health or facing a cancer diagnosis. Here are a few of the sources we list on our Populations Groups page in our Cancer Resource Center. These organizations are on the forefront of advocating for and making improvements to healthcare for the entire LGBTIQIA+ community.
- LGBTQ-friendly health care professional databases
- Support for LGBTQ+ Cancer Survivors
- Gov: Transgender Healthcare—Details to consider in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- National Center for Transgender Equality—Social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people. Resources on a range of issues and rights.
- National Coalition for LGBT Health—Works to improve the health and well-being of the LGBT community through federal and local advocacy, education, training, and research.
- National LGBT Cancer Network—Works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk through education, training, and advocacy. Includes a directory for LGBT-friendly providers.
- Queering Cancer—Resources, research, stories and support
- SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders—Works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk through education, training, and advocacy.
- The LGBT Cancer Project—Raises awareness and diminishes the threat of cancer in the LGBT community through research, education, survivor support and advocacy.
- Transgender Cancer Patient Project—Community, support groups, trusted resources, events, projects, and zines (self-published books).
by Bag It Team | May 4, 2023 | Educational Articles
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month
As spring gets into full swing and we all look forward to spending time outdoors, being smart about sunscreen is one of the best ways you can prevent skin cancer. To get all the protection sunscreen offers, here are a few tips to help your skin stay healthy:
- Use a broad spectrum, 30 SPF sunscreen every day of the year–even when you are nowhere near the water.
- Apply the sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you go outside so it gets absorbed and fully protects you. The sun’s rays damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes.
- Don’t use old sunscreen. Many sunscreens don’t have an expiration date but the protection will be its strongest for about three years. Tip: Write the purchase date on the bottle.
- Most people don’t use enough sunscreen. Use 1 ounce (picture a shot glass of sunscreen) to fully cover an adult body. Ears, eyelids, lips, scalps, feet and necks are the most forgotten areas that suffer sun damage.
- Sunscreen application is not a “one and done” process. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours, especially if you have been swimming or sweating.
The Centers for Disease Control also recommend that you stay in the shade, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck and sunglasses that wrap around as well as block both UVA and UVB rays.
Enjoy your summer!
by Bag It Team | Apr 6, 2023 | Educational Articles
The advice on alcohol use can be confusing. One day there’s a research study touting some health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption (particularly red wine), and the next day another study reports that all alcohol is bad for you. One fact that is not disputed is that the less you drink, the lower your risk for developing cancer.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a good opportunity to take a look at our drinking patterns through the lens of cancer risk to decide if making different choices might be in order.
Most people don’t have a problem with alcohol, but thinking about when, where, why, and much you drink can give insights about the role alcohol plays in your life and your health.
Here are some resources from authoritative organizations to help answer questions you might have about alcohol and its role in cancer risk.
- Rethinking Drinking is a resource that can help you assess your drinking habits and provide valuable, research-based information to help you cut back or stop drinking if needed. It is available online as an interactive tool and as a brochure.
- American Institute for Cancer Research–Alcohol and Cancer Prevention
- Center for Disease Control–Alcohol and Cancer
- Are you worried about a loved one’s drinking? Use these tips to talk with someone about cutting back or quitting drinking.
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