48. Sisterly Advice About Genetics and Cancer

Family history is the biggest risk factor for many cancers, especially ovarian, the deadliest gynecologic cancer. The use of genetic information is becoming increasingly important in the detection and treatment of cancer. This talk explores the familial and genetic risk factors for ovarian, breast and other related cancers. Learn how genomics and genetics can guide proactive testing as well as treatment options for many cancers. Our speaker, Jodie Shagrin Kavensky, will discuss assessing risk, exploring risk-reduction strategies, recognizing cancer's subtle symptoms, and seeking medical attention for the best outcome. Sisterly Advice is a talk to empower the audience to assess their risk for ovarian and related cancers, including breast cancer. This program can save your life or the life of someone you love. Jodie Shagrin Kavensky is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Public Relations from The Ohio State University and her Master of Science in Advertising from Northwestern University. Jodie spent seven years working in healthcare marketing in Chicago where her clients included Mayo Clinic and Michael Reese Hospital. Jodie is a board member of the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a sustaining member of Junior League of the Quad Cities and sits on the City of Rock Island Arts & Beautification Commission. Jodie spent three years being a caregiver for her mother, Norma, who died of ovarian cancer. It was her mother’s dying wish that Jodie become a voice for all the women who have been silenced by this disease. In her mother and aunt’s honor, Jodie founded the NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative. She is an advocate for risk assessment and early detection education and shares her unique perspective on inheriting her mother's BRCA gene mutation. As the founder and volunteer CEO of NormaLeah since 2008 Jodie is a health educator and has developed several initiatives aimed at creating better health outcomes. YouTube: https://youtu.be/CPDWvlqA32k To learn more, go to: https://www.normaleah.org https://www.facebook.com/NormaLeahOvarianCancerInitiative https://instagram.com/normaleahinitiative