There are 13 million people with cancer in the United States, and it's estimated that about 1.3 million of these cases are hereditary. Yet despite advanced training in cancer genetics and years of practicing medicine, Dr. Theo Ross was never certain whether the history of cancers in her family was simple bad luck or a sign that they were carriers of a cancer-causing genetic mutation. Then she was diagnosed with melanoma, and for someone with a dark complexion, melanoma made no sense. It turned out there was a genetic factor at work.
Using her own family's story, the latest science of cancer genetics, and her experience as a practicing physician, Ross shows readers how to spot the patterns of inherited cancer, how to get tested for cancer-causing genes, and what to do if you have one. With a foreword by Siddartha Mukherjee, prize winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies, this will be the first authoritative, go-to for people facing inherited cancer, this book empowers readers to face their genetic heritage without fear and to make decisions that will keep them and their families healthy.
'An upbeat message that learning about a cancer mutation in one's family history is not about coping with bad news; it is about taking control and making choices . . . Highly recommended: an exceptionally well-organized, authoritative, and readable resource book.' Kirkus Starred Review
'Packed with information shared by a compassionate and empathetic voice, Ross's tome is a thoughtful and measured tool for health advocacy that many will find useful.' Publishers Weekly Starred Review
