The Doctors TV aired a program on Monday, February 1 titled Desperate To Save A Life. It includes a segment about Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC). If only one at risk family is identified, if only one life saved …
View the two part segment:
A story of hope: Elizabeth Lambert shares her family story
On March - 11 - 2010
Elizabeth Lambert, a teacher and a member of the Board of Directors of No Stomach For Cancer, Inc., is dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about diffuse stomach cancer. Like many others, her family has been affected by a hereditary form of stomach cancer.
Elizabeth’s family was featured in a January 22, 2010 episode of Chronicle about genetics which aired on WCVB Boston Channel 5 on January 22, 2010. View the Walsh Family Stomach Cancer video on You Tube.
A story of hope: Family has stomachs removed to fight cancer, an article written by Aaron Nicodemus, appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Worcester, MA on February 2, 2010.
Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC)
On January - 29 - 2010
Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the world.
The American Cancer Society estimated that 21,500 new cases of stomach (gastric) cancer would be diagnosed in the United States in 2008.1 Because gastric cancer is difficult to diagnose, it is often discovered in patients at a late stage with a poor prognosis. The treatment for gastric cancer is surgery and chemotherapy;2 however, the overall 5-year survival rate is low, at 24.3%.1
It is estimated that 1-3% of cases of gastric cancer are caused by Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer.2 Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is an inherited cancer syndrome that leads to an increased risk for both diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer in women. Patients who inherit the genetic mutation for HDGC are at high risk for developing gastric cancer at a young age.3 Read the rest of this entry »
Surviving Stomach Cancer
On January - 13 - 2010
WORKING TO RAISE AWARENESS CHELCUN FAMILY MEMBERS APPEAR IN CBS SEGMENT ABOUT HDGC
The Chelcun family was featured in a CBS video segment with the goal of raising awareness of Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer syndrome (HDGC). While it appears to be a story about the Chelcun family, the underlying story is that of families all throughout the world. Change the family name, the family size, the individuals, the city, the country, but the story remains the same.
You may view the video, titled Surviving Stomach Cancer, currently available on You Tube.
Awareness is critical. Lives can be saved. Be an educator by sharing this with others.
“Top Medical Advances of the Decade” include mapping the human genome; CDH1 gene mutation is example
On December - 30 - 2009
Watch the video about Mapping the Human Genome and Stomach Cancer.
“Good Morning America” considers the discovery of genetic markers such as the one causing HDGC to be one of the top medical advances of the decade. Stomach cancer is mentioned specifically in this video from December 29, 2009 featuring Dr. Tim Johnson’s descriptions of medical breakthroughs. We are confident that the efforts of all of us impacted by HDGC and other diffuse gastric cancers, have already resulted in this national coverage: one small step in educating the world, on our journey to prevent gastric cancer and ultimately to find a cure!
HDGC Research: In pursuit of stomach cancer prevention
On November - 11 - 2009
A prestigious James Cook Fellowship has been awarded to researcher Parry Guilford, University of Otazo, New Zealand, to pursue innovative research aimed at reversing or preventing the very early stages of stomach cancer.
Read Parry Guilford’s personal post detailing his exciting research plan for HDGC / CDH1 gene research. His two year fellowship will begin in March, 2010.
The University of Otago announces Parry Guilford’s exciting award for stomach cancer research.
More information about The Royal Society of New Zealand James Cook Research Fellowships.
New Zealand Government Research Fellowship: Focus on HDGC and diffuse gastric cancer
On November - 11 - 2009
Parry Guilford; Cancer Genetics Laboratory, University of Otago
The James Cook Fellowship provides funding for two years of concentrated research, free of teaching and administrative commitments. My planned research is built broadly around establishing methods to assess individual risk of developing gastric cancer. As we all know, CDH1 mutation carriers have a lifetime risk of around 70-80% of developing diffuse gastric cancer, but we have little understanding of an individual’s actual risk at any particular point in time. A better understanding of this would help individual carriers decide what the best time for surgical intervention is. Read the rest of this entry »
CDH1 gene mutation causes stomach cancer: How is it inherited?
On November - 7 - 2009
CDH1 Mutations and Inheritance
By Amy Stettner, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor
Madison, WI
Our bodies are made up of trillions of tiny cells. We have skin cells, muscle cells, bone cells, stomach cells, etc. Each cell contains a copy of our genetic code. This genetic code is made up of DNA and is packaged into structures called chromosomes. Read the rest of this entry »
Great news about the Chelcun Family Fund For Stomach Cancer Research
On September - 28 - 2009
The Chelcun Family Fund for Stomach Cancer Research has accomplished much, in a very short time. Our website is a leading resource (if not the leading resource) for information about HDGC and support for HDGC families worldwide. We are writing to bring you up to date on what’s been happening, and to announce a major step forward.
Our website at www.BeStrongHearted.org took off in a way none of us had anticipated. The statistics are astounding: visitors from 81 countries and every state in the United States; thousands of page views; families across the globe sharing their stories and connecting with others for support and information.
We’ve sparked a research study that will be led by Dr. Gregory Lauwers, a pathologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Details about the study will be announced soon on our website. Read the rest of this entry »
HDGC and the Increased Risk of Lobular Breast Cancer
On August - 25 - 2009
by Johanna Chelcun, MHS, PA-C
Scientific Background
The role of the E-cadherin protein affected by CDH1 gene mutations is adhesion of adjacent cells in certain tissues of the body. In patients with a CDH1 gene mutation, the loss of E-cadherin is thought to lead to invasive tumors, most often in the lining of the stomach. However, a form of breast cancer called lobular breast cancer has also been associated with the CDH1 gene mutation and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.
Lobular breast cancer caused by CDH1 mutations cause cancerous cells to be scattered throughout the breast tissue, making the cancer difficult to diagnose (much like hereditary diffuse gastric cancer). Additionally, the same type of cancer cells, called signet ring cells, are found in both lobular breast cancer and diffuse gastric cancers. This helps to solidify a relationship between the CDH1 gene mutation and an increased risk of both diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer. To date, lobular breast cancer is the only cancer besides gastric that is known to occur at increased rates in families affected by a CDH1 gene mutation. Read the rest of this entry »
Know Your Family History: The importance of communication and record-keeping
On August - 12 - 2009
By Johanna Chelcun, MHS, PA-C
As we now know, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer is a rare inherited syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation in the CDH1 gene. This gene has the possibility of being passed from generation to generation, and the effects of the inheritance can be devastating. Looking beyond HDGC, we notice that the new wave of medicine is focused on genetic mapping, counseling, and testing - searching for patterns of heart disease, autism, dementia, and all types of cancer, to name a few.
Often times, primary care physicians simply don’t have the time to ascertain and document a thorough family history during a brief appointment. They are often allotted only 15-minute intervals to discuss your own medical history, review your medication list, talk about any current issues or concerns, perform a physical exam, develop a management plan, prescribe any new medications, and update your medical record (whew!). The time spent on family history is minimal, and sometimes even missed altogether.
Facts about Stomach Cancer and Stomach Cancer Research Funding
On June - 30 - 2009
By Johanna Chelcun, PA-C
Did you know…
…that Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) is an inherited cancer syndrome that leads to an increased risk for diffuse gastric cancer (67-83% risk by age 80) and lobular breast cancer (20-40% risk for women by age 80.)
…that the American Cancer Society estimated that one million people worldwide would be diagnosed with stomach cancer in the year 2007, and that 800,000 would die from the disease? Read the rest of this entry »
