No Stomach for Cancer | Be Strong Hearted

A Network for Gastric Cancer Patients, Survivors and Families

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Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: updated consensus guidelines for clinical management and directions for future research

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On July - 20 - 2010

An article published recently in the Journal of Medical Genetics outlines new recommendations for management of patients and families with Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, based on a workshop of the International Gastric Cancer Linkage Consortium (IGCLC) held in late 2008.  The workshop, convened in Cambridge, UK, included expert geneticists, gastroenterologists, oncologists, surgeons, and pathologists from nine countries, and discussion topics included genetic counselling and testing, surveillance endoscopy, prophylactic gastrectomy, and review of pathology specimens.

Some of the outcomes of the IGCLC workshop include: Read the rest of this entry »

Education, Front, Gastrectomy, Genetics, HDGC, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, Lobular Breast Cancer, Research

The Doctors TV: Desperate To Save A Life

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On March - 15 - 2010

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:

Desperate To Save A Life, Part One

Desperate To Save A Life, Part Two

Front

A story of hope: Elizabeth Lambert shares her family story

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber 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.

Families, Genetics, News

Surviving Stomach Cancer

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On January - 13 - 2010

earlyshowWORKING 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.

Front, News

“Top Medical Advances of the Decade” include mapping the human genome; CDH1 gene mutation is example

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber 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!

Education, Front, Genetics, HDGC, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer

HDGC Research: In pursuit of stomach cancer prevention

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber 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.

Front, Genetics, HDGC, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, Research

New Zealand Government Research Fellowship: Focus on HDGC and diffuse gastric cancer

Posted by Parry Guilford 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 »

Front, HDGC, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, Research

Great news about the Chelcun Family Fund For Stomach Cancer Research

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber 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 »

Education, Families, Front, Fundraising, Get Involved, HDGC, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer

TV New Zealand Close Up: The Kiwis who inspired a Grey’s plot

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On June - 14 - 2009

View an uplifting and interesting Close Up news broadcast about Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) on TV New Zealand featuring Parry Guilford, the scientist who first identified HDGC and the CDH1 gene mutation that causes HDGC.  His discovery, only eleven years new, has been saving so many lives, including in the Chelcun family and many other families worldwide.  The Close Up includes interviews with the original families in whom HDGC was first identified.  We must find ways to fund the promising research that will ultimately lead to the prevention of this particular cancer as well as other related cancers.

Families, Fundraising, Genetics, HDGC, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, News, Research

Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC): A Resource for You

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On June - 13 - 2009

HDGC...Now What?

Be sure to visit HDGC…Now What?

 

You, or someone close to you has been diagnosed with HDGC.  Now what?  The search is on, for information, for support, for encouragement.

  
We are committed to developing this network, a valuable source of credible and useful information.  Join our community of support for all of those touched by HDGC or other types of stomach cancer.  Your participation can be as little or as much as you desire.  You decide. Read the rest of this entry »

Education, Families, Fundraising, Gastrectomy, General, Genetics, Get Involved, HDGC, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, Lobular Breast Cancer, Mind, Body, Spirit, News, Nutrition, Pregnancy, Research

Fleming’s Hosts Benefit Wine Tasting Event

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On May - 4 - 2009

flemings
Madison, WI

Dear Friends & Family,

I am thrilled to announce an event at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Madison, WI. The Fleming’s 100 Wine Tasting will benefit the Be Strong Hearted® campaign of our Chelcun Family Fund for Stomach Cancer Research.  The cost to attend is $25 per person, of which ninety-five percent will benefit the fund.

I would love to see you there, and I hope you will extend this invitation to others you know who may enjoy the event. A summer day will provide the perfect opportunity to take advantage of their lovely outdoor patio area, too.

We extend much gratitude to Andy Tsigolis, the Operating Partner of Fleming’s Madison, for his generous support of our cause.

Kia Kaha,

Karen 

www.BeStrongHearted.org continues to reach people worldwide who are just beginning to learn about hereditary gastric cancer. Affected families have expressed their thanks for our mission. Research is proceeding with wonderful personal contacts and commitments from key scientists. The scientists have shared their appreciation for our awareness and education efforts, and have said that “if you are having contacts from people around the world [and we are], then you are saving lives.” We appreciate your support, as it allows us to support and advance this very important research.

Visit Fleming’s Madison.

Front, Fundraising, Get Involved

Kia Kaha

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On March - 21 - 2009

By Ryan Gay
Kernersville News, NC
March 2009
lisa-foster-england

The stomach is an organ many people take for granted, not really thinking about how much it helps the body. Except in instances of allergies or diets we don’t really have to concern ourselves with what we eat or when we eat.

There is simply a familiar pang in our abdomen that tells us our body needs to eat.

For one local woman, keeping her body fueled is not that easy.

Due to a genetic mutation that caused two stomach cancers, Lisa Foster England had to have her stomach removed.

Just over a decade ago, a scientist in New Zealand was studying an aboriginal people known as the Maori and discovered a mutation that greatly increases the risk of a deadly stomach cancer that is hard to detect.

The official name of the gene is cadherin 1, type 1, E-cadherin (epithelial), more commonly known as CDH1. Read the rest of this entry »

Families, Genetics, News
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    • Karen Chelcun Schreiber wrote a new blog post: Scientific Advisory Board   3 days, 21 hours ago

      Scientific Advisory Board members are highly accomplished professionals with medical and/or research background, who provide expert and comprehensive perspectives as well as guidance to No Stomach For Cancer, Inc. with regard to technical, medical, and research related topics. The Board provides knowledge and support that are critical in furthering our Mission.

      Daniel C. Chung, MD
      Massachusetts General [...]

    • Nina healey wrote on the wire of the group Lobular Breast Cancer   1 week, 1 day ago

      I am new to this group. I am actually a cousin of Lorraine Ennis. In March 2007, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma in my right breast. I had a mastectomy in March, during which the dr checked the lymph nodes by removing the main node and checked it while I [...]

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    • Gretchen Borzi wrote on the wire of the group Lobular Breast Cancer   3 weeks, 2 days ago

      Lorraine and Cathy, you’re stories are inspiring. I wish you both the best of luck with your surgeries and recovery. Right now, it’s hard for me to imagine being in your shoes, but I will most likely be there at some point. Thanks for sharing.