Up and Down the Family Tree:
How genetic testing helped one patient dodge cancer,con't

Isa Wishart, Paula Wishart and Isa Di Rita
The Cancer Genetics Clinic often works with patients who have a personal or family history of cancer.
Photo by Edda Pacifico
"From my perspective, your genetics are up and down your family tree," she says. "Genetic testing has enabled me to impact my family in ways that are very important to me. I am avoiding cancer, which my cousin wasn’t able to do. I value my life more than those individual organs I had removed."

Wishart's other children, ages 11 and 13, are too young to be tested for Lynch Syndrome. The family openly discusses Lynch and cancer so they will be able to make the decision whether or not to be tested for the Lynch mutation once they are young adults.

"The fear of knowing can be so strong for people," Wishart says. "I feel like knowing gives you strength."

 

Genetic Testing

Is genetic testing right for you? What doctors look for before recommending genetic testing:
  • cancer at an early age
  • one person with multiple primary cancers
  • cancer in both paired organs or more
    • than one tumor in an organ
  • the same type of cancer in close relatives
  • cancer in multiple generations of a family
  • rare tumors
  • unusual presentation of cancer, such as male breast cancer

 

Keep reading for Up and Down the Family Tree - More Resources

 

 

 

 Connect with us!   MCancerTalk       Fan us on Facebook       Watch us on YouTube      Follow us on Twitter       View our photos on Flickr

Bookmark and Share

Small Text SizeMedium Text SizeLarge Text Size
Adjust text size

Speak with a Cancer nurse: 1-800-865-1125
Print this page

 

web icon
Visit the Cancer Genetics Clinic.

 

University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

© 2012 Regents of the University of Michigan / Developed & maintained by: Public Relations & Marketing Communications. Contact Us or UMHS. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.