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Archive for the ‘Genetics’ Category

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

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

Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC)

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber 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 »

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

“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

CDH1 gene mutation causes stomach cancer: How is it inherited?

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber 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 »

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

HDGC and the Increased Risk of Lobular Breast Cancer

Posted by Johanna Chelcun 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 »

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

New Zealand Listener, Interview with Parry Guilford

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On June - 10 - 2009

When the hospital drama Grey’s Anatomy screens on June 14 (in New Zealand), there will be a ripple of pride through the corridors of Otago University’s Cancer Genetics Laboratory.  That’s because one of the main storylines in the episode - a family grappling with the terrible consequences of inherited stomach cancer - has its origins in a 1998 discovery by researchers at the laboratory, let my Oamaru-raised geneticist Parry Guilford.

Read the Interview with Parry Guilford, by Rebecca Macfie

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

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

No Stomach For Food - Or Cancer

Posted by Karen Chelcun Schreiber On March - 8 - 2009

By David Wahlberg
Wisconsin State Journal
March 2009

Karen and Sons

She never gets hungry. Regular meals make her sick. She can’t eat and drink at the same time.

Karen Chelcun Schreiber has no stomach.

It’s not that her stomach is mostly bypassed like after weight-loss surgery. She has no stomach at all. She had the bean-shaped organ removed last summer.

Read the article in its entirety  . . .  No Stomach For Food - Or Cancer

Families, Genetics, News
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    • Paul Charles Linstead commented on the blog post Update: had a bad couple of days   5 hours, 17 minutes ago

      Hi Harry any time you want more info fire away I will try and help out with the way I got through ,this and continue to do so ,November 3 will be my year of recovery

    • Lorraine Ennis wrote on the wire of the group Lobular Breast Cancer   4 days, 11 hours ago

      Hi Nina……..great to see you here when we live only minutes apart and can’t seem to get together!!

      Just to let everyone know, when Nina said “Thanks Marge” she is referring to my sister who has spend a great deal of time, energy and efforts in educating our family about this gene…….if it wasn’t for her, [...]

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    • Karen Chelcun Schreiber wrote a new blog post: Scientific Advisory Board   1 week, 4 days 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
      Clinical Chief, [...]

    • Nina healey wrote on the wire of the group Lobular Breast Cancer   2 weeks, 2 days 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 [...]