The Boon Project celebrated our 6-month anniversary this month, and we’re busier than ever!

Earlier this month I was invited to speak with the Family and Patient Advocacy Council at MUSC.  During our meeting, I shared about The Boon Project, our mission to support young adults fighting cancer, and our goal to reach patients as soon as possible after diagnosis so that we can come alongside them with resources for their fight as well as opportunities for community and psychosocial support.  The council members were excited about what we are doing and have shared information on our programs with Hollings Cancer Center. I look forward to more collaboration in the future.

The Ulman Cancer Fund, based in Maryland, visited Charleston Cancer Center this month as they ran from Baltimore to Key West to raise support and awareness for young adults fighting cancer.  Charleston Cancer Center invited me to attend their visit, and I was able to talk with several staff members and volunteers at UCF. They have been a flagship organization for young adult cancer support, and it was a wonderful opportunity for me to meet and connect with them. We are already discussing ways to bring new programs to young adult fighters and survivors in the Low Country. Stay tuned!

Outreach remains an important part of our mission. Fighters and survivors in the cancer community need to know we exist to benefit from our services.  The Boon Project was present at Follypalooza and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk this month.  We made new friends, shared about our organization, and supported local cancer fighters and survivors in the process.

Our Courage Club met for their 7th official gathering this month. We have new members each time and are looking forward to a big Christmas party in December to celebrate with our survivors and their families and caregivers.

As you read through the rest of this newsletter, please take notice of the local businesses who have offered their time, talents, resources, and donations in support of The Boon Project. We have been able to impact young adults fighting cancer for the last 6 months only because of the generosity of our supporters.  Please, as you are able, support these companies who have helped young adults fighting cancer in our area to #fightandtakeflight!

-Katherine

The Boon Project 1st Annual Gala & Silent Auction

Young Adult Cancer Issues

Blair Grass is a Registered Nurse, wife and mother. She has been working in the medical field in Charleston since 2006 and has both a Bachelors and Masters in Nursing. The majority of her nursing career has been in Oncology, with experience as a Breast Cancer Navigator, infusion nurse and most recently working in Oncology data analysis and research. For Blair, working with the Boon Project is a great way to connect with young adult cancer patients and help facilitate education about the cancer journey.

How Do These Genes Make Me Look?

Genetic testing is a hot topic in cancer care.  As someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, or a family member of someone diagnosed with cancer you might be wondering “Is genetic screening right for me?”

Research has identified several genetic mutations that may predispose an individual to certain types of cancer. Approximately 5-10% of all cancer diagnoses are thought to be related to genetic mutations (1,3). Breast, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers are some of the more common types of cancer associated with genetic mutations (3). Still, more often than not, the risk of developing cancer is more closely related to lifestyle choices and exposures.

Red flags that may point to the need for genetic testing include: several first-degree relatives with cancer or multiple relatives on the same side of the family with the same type of cancer, rare cancers, personal history of cancer at a young age (or a first degree relative with cancer at a young age), a family member with a known genetic mutation, or certain ethnicities associated with increased cancer risk.

If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer and have a concern about a genetic mutation, the first step is discussing your concern with your medical oncologist. He/She may take a detailed family history to look for patterns of disease development and will also take into consideration your age, cancer type and if you have had any other types of cancer. It can be especially helpful to gather information from different people on each side of your family to ensure you have an accurate history. A referral may also be made to a Geneticist or Genetic Counselor. Your Oncologist or Genetic Specialist can help you navigate the types of testing and the implications of a positive result. Testing can usually be performed with either a blood sample or saliva/tissue swab from the inner cheek that is sent to a special laboratory for testing.

For someone already diagnosed with cancer, genetic testing may help guide treatment decisions and identify if there are additional risks for developing other cancer types (i.e. a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation increases the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer but is also associated with pancreatic cancer and male breast cancer).

A positive result may prompt family members to be screened for the same mutation. The presence of a mutation increases the risk of cancer developing (it does not guarantee that an individual will develop that cancer) so additional screening may be warranted. In some cases, other preventative measures can be taken including risk reduction measures (diet, exercise, alcohol or tobacco cessation), medications, additional screening tests and in some cases surgery.

Overall, when indicated, genetic screening can play a role in how cancer is treated or diagnosed. A known mutation can give patients and their providers additional knowledge and can be used both in treatment decisions and future screening decisions (type of screening tests and frequency may differ from traditionally recommended cancer screening).

References:

1. Genetic Testing Fact Sheet (2013) Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet
2. Understanding Genetic Testing for Cancer (2016) Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/genetics/understanding-genetic-testing-for-cancer.html
3. Who Needs Genetic Testing for Cancer (2015) Retrieved from https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/february-2015/FOH-genetic-testing.html

LuLaRoe Renee and Kat will be fundraising for The Boon Project in two ways this month. First, for every 2 pairs of leggings purchased in the month of November, Renee and Kat will donate a pair to a member of our Courage Club. They are also hosting a pop up party to benefit The Boon Project on November 19th. We encourage you shop with them as they generously support young adult cancer fighters and survivors.

Thanks also to Amy Stevens Photography for services donated!