NPR's Talk of the Nation |June 7, 2011
Dr. Ora Gordon on NPR's Talk of the Nation
Dr. Ora Gordon discussed breast cancer treatment and prevention on NPR's Talk of the Nation. Read or listen to the story here.
Ms. Magazine Blog |February 17, 2011
Women CAN Handle the Truth--About Cancer OR Alzheimer's
by Joi Morris
The BRCA genes were discovered in 1994 and 1995, but when you visited your doctor anytime from 1995 through the early 2000s, chances are that she or he did not recommend that you test for a mutation on the genes that would indicate an increased chance of developing ovarian or breast cancers. Why not? Because the paternalistic feeling of much of the medical community was that women who might be carriers of mutations couldn't handle knowing their risk. Read more
Dr. Ora Gordon on NPR's Talk of the Nation
Dr. Ora Gordon discussed breast cancer treatment and prevention on NPR's Talk of the Nation. Read or listen to the story here.
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Ms. Magazine Blog |February 17, 2011
Women CAN Handle the Truth--About Cancer OR Alzheimer's
by Joi Morris
The BRCA genes were discovered in 1994 and 1995, but when you visited your doctor anytime from 1995 through the early 2000s, chances are that she or he did not recommend that you test for a mutation on the genes that would indicate an increased chance of developing ovarian or breast cancers. Why not? Because the paternalistic feeling of much of the medical community was that women who might be carriers of mutations couldn't handle knowing their risk. Read more
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Dr. Gordon/ Positive Results on CNN |October 10, 2010
CNN Cancer and Genetics Part II: Previvors and Genetic Testing
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Ms. Magazine Blog |September 30, 2010
Did You Know It's Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week?
by Joi Morris
Today, September 30, is the last day of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; tomorrow, October 1, is the first day of Breast Cancer Month. Are they connected in any way other than the fact that they are both (mostly) womens cancers? Absolutely.
Those of us who carry mutations on the genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at extraordinarily high risk of both diseases. And this week, September 26 to October 2, is National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week. October will be awash in pink, but I suspect you've never heard of HBOC Week. Why? Because the House of Representatives just passed the legislation on September 15 to create this new national week of recognition. Read more
Did You Know It's Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week?
by Joi Morris
Today, September 30, is the last day of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; tomorrow, October 1, is the first day of Breast Cancer Month. Are they connected in any way other than the fact that they are both (mostly) womens cancers? Absolutely.
Those of us who carry mutations on the genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at extraordinarily high risk of both diseases. And this week, September 26 to October 2, is National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week. October will be awash in pink, but I suspect you've never heard of HBOC Week. Why? Because the House of Representatives just passed the legislation on September 15 to create this new national week of recognition. Read more
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Santa Monica Daily Press |September 10, 2010
My genes, not Myriad's
by Joi Morris
A company in Utah owns my genes, or at least they owned bits of them until recently when the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York invalidated patents issued to Myriad Genetics for the breast cancer genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. I have a BRCA2 mutation and have long wondered how it was that Myriad could own two small slices of the chromosomes that reside in every cell in my body. After all, Myriad didn't "invent" my DNA; that was the exclusive job of my parents, who created the unique DNA sequence that is mine. Read more
My genes, not Myriad's
by Joi Morris
A company in Utah owns my genes, or at least they owned bits of them until recently when the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York invalidated patents issued to Myriad Genetics for the breast cancer genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. I have a BRCA2 mutation and have long wondered how it was that Myriad could own two small slices of the chromosomes that reside in every cell in my body. After all, Myriad didn't "invent" my DNA; that was the exclusive job of my parents, who created the unique DNA sequence that is mine. Read more
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The Nassau Guardian |July 29, 2010
Patient advocate shares family's ordeal with breast cancer
by Candida Dames
Patient advocate shares family's ordeal with breast cancer
by Candida Dames
"Years ago, Stephen Kandel inquired from an oncologist whether he should be worried about his daughters given that his mother, grandmother and other women in his family had died from cancer.
Even with his horrific family history, Kandel was told that he could not pass any cancer gene onto his daughters because only mothers could do so.
About five years later, his 36-year-old daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer.
* * *
Joi L. Morris and Ora K. Gordon, MD have written extensively on this issue in their book 'Positive Results -- Making the Best Decisions When You're at High Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer.' " Read more
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San Francisco Book Review |April 27, 2010
Reviewed by Dominique James
There is a wealth of information about the genes for hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer. There is also a wealth of information about risk management and options available to those who are afflicted with breast or ovarian cancer. But there's no single reference that summarizes it all in an easy-to-understand guide until now, with Joi L. Morris and Ora K. Gordon's Positive Results: Making the Best Decisions When You're at High Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer. Read more
Reviewed by Dominique James
There is a wealth of information about the genes for hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer. There is also a wealth of information about risk management and options available to those who are afflicted with breast or ovarian cancer. But there's no single reference that summarizes it all in an easy-to-understand guide until now, with Joi L. Morris and Ora K. Gordon's Positive Results: Making the Best Decisions When You're at High Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer. Read more
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Library Journal |April 1, 2010
Book Review, by Jodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn. Lib.
The chance of breast cancer by age 70 can be as high as 84 percent for women who carry the BRCA genes. The risk of ovarian cancer also increases in that demographic. When Morris, outreach coordinator of FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), learned at age 42 that she was positive for the BRCA2 gene, she went in search of information. When she turned up a family history of breast cancer, she decided to undergo a double mastectomy. In collaboration with Gordon, codirector of the Cedars-Sinai Gilda Radner Ovarian and Breast Cancer Screening Program, she offers a practical, readable book that she could have used but couldn't find when she faced the terrible decisions she had to make. Readers will here find basic information on genes, the discovery of the BRCA genes, genetic testing and counseling, the effects on family, and the role of the BRCA genes in hereditary cancer. Risk modification, other genomic assessments, surveillance, the decision to undergo mastectomy, breast reconstruction, ovarian cancer risk management, and menopause all receive attention. VERDICT Morris's story and that of other women and men highlight the difficult choices involved. Full of practical advice, this book will be a boon to those at risk for breast cancer as well as their caregivers.
Book Review, by Jodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn. Lib.
The chance of breast cancer by age 70 can be as high as 84 percent for women who carry the BRCA genes. The risk of ovarian cancer also increases in that demographic. When Morris, outreach coordinator of FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), learned at age 42 that she was positive for the BRCA2 gene, she went in search of information. When she turned up a family history of breast cancer, she decided to undergo a double mastectomy. In collaboration with Gordon, codirector of the Cedars-Sinai Gilda Radner Ovarian and Breast Cancer Screening Program, she offers a practical, readable book that she could have used but couldn't find when she faced the terrible decisions she had to make. Readers will here find basic information on genes, the discovery of the BRCA genes, genetic testing and counseling, the effects on family, and the role of the BRCA genes in hereditary cancer. Risk modification, other genomic assessments, surveillance, the decision to undergo mastectomy, breast reconstruction, ovarian cancer risk management, and menopause all receive attention. VERDICT Morris's story and that of other women and men highlight the difficult choices involved. Full of practical advice, this book will be a boon to those at risk for breast cancer as well as their caregivers.
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My Daily Find |March 16, 2010
Positive results for those with high risk for breast or ovarian cancer
by Amanda Traxler
To Joi Morris, co-author of Positive Results (co-written by Tarzana native Dr. Ora Gordon), knowledge doesn't just give you power, it gives you options.
And for someone who has a genetic mutation linked to a raised risk of breast or ovarian cancer, having choices to help manage risk is paramount. Read more
Positive results for those with high risk for breast or ovarian cancer
by Amanda Traxler
To Joi Morris, co-author of Positive Results (co-written by Tarzana native Dr. Ora Gordon), knowledge doesn't just give you power, it gives you options.
And for someone who has a genetic mutation linked to a raised risk of breast or ovarian cancer, having choices to help manage risk is paramount. Read more
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Santa Monica Daily Press |February 22, 2010
Shining light on genetic cancer risks
by Miriam Finder
As Joi Morris knows, the truth can be scary. However, Morris recently made learning the truth about heightened risks of breast and ovarian cancer caused by gene mutations a little easier through her book, "Positive Results: Making the Best Decisions When You're at High Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer." Read More
Shining light on genetic cancer risks
by Miriam Finder
As Joi Morris knows, the truth can be scary. However, Morris recently made learning the truth about heightened risks of breast and ovarian cancer caused by gene mutations a little easier through her book, "Positive Results: Making the Best Decisions When You're at High Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer." Read More
