'How I knew I had ovarian cancer’: Survivors and caregiver discuss symptoms
Bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain are three of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer. They’re also some of the easiest to overlook. Perhaps it’s because they can also be signs of so many other conditions, including indigestion, a stomach virus, and even the cramps that can accompany a normal menstrual cycle.
“I attributed my bloating to a strong course of antibiotics I’d just finished,” says Angela Hernandez, who...
How to get genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk
Between 5% and 10% of cancers are hereditary. This means that the cancer is caused by a change in your genes called a genetic mutation.
Triple-negative breast cancer survivor: MD Anderson inspired me to resume triathlons
Before I retired from teaching in May 2014, I was very active as a soccer and volleyball coach. I’d do push-up competitions alongside my junior...
Is cancer hereditary?
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you might be wondering how and why you got it.
Was it something that happened spontaneously? Does cancer run in your family? Could you have inherited it from a parent?
As a senior genetic counselor in MD Anderson’s Clinical Cancer Genetics Program, I help patients understand how genetic testing can influence their care. And I hear the same questions often. Here, I’ll explain more about...
Is stomach cancer hereditary?
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is a rare, serious genetic condition that increases the risk of developing stomach cancer. Despite...
Young adult cancer pre-vivor: Why I had my stomach removed at age 25
Most people don’t realize you can live quite comfortably without a stomach. But I found that out first-hand in 2020, after learning I carry...
Triple-negative breast cancer survivor: Why I chose a clinical trial at MD Anderson
Cancer runs very strongly on one side of my family. Several members have had either breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Two tested positive for...
6 breast cancer myths you shouldn’t believe
Can wearing underwire bras cause breast cancer? What about using antiperspirants containing aluminum or eating foods made with soybeans? ...
Stage IV lung cancer survivor: Why you should start your treatment at MD Anderson
After watching my grandmother die with emphysema, I resolved never to smoke. So, when I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer — and told...
Stage III ovarian cancer survivor: Don’t ignore your symptoms
When I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer in July 2023, it hit me like a thunderbolt. Ovarian cancer doesn’t run in my family. But...