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Genetics – Diagnostics – Nutrition

Writer's picture: Manja Gideon FoundationManja Gideon Foundation

November 1, 2024




At the first ever St. Gallen info event for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, experts talk to the audience about genes and cancer, hereditary risk, and the role of exercise and nutrition. Over 80 people attended the event, which was organized by Prof. Dr. Jens Huober of the Breast Center at St. Gallen Canton Hospital (KSSG) and Dr. Rudolf Morant, president of the Cancer League of Eastern Switzerland. 


The Manja Gideon Foundation sponsored the event and had Elena Su, doctoral candidate in Medicine, introduce our awareness-raising work that day. 


After her words, we summarized the key insights from all the different talks in bullet points for you here. 



Genes and cancer: What does it mean to have a genetic predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer and which genes play a role?


Talk by Dr. Christine Strub, Head Doctor, Breast Center, KSSG (St. Gallen Canton Hospital)


  • What role do genes and mutations play?

  • Dr. Strub: “Every single day, due to a variety of influences (environment, lifestyle, age), genetic changes occur in individual body cells that promote the development of cancer.”  

  • She explains that, since the guidelines are always changing, patients should monitor the risk profile of their mutations on a regular basis. 

  • Cancer can be hereditary. 

  • Increasing numbers of families are finding out about this predisposition.

  • The consequences of a genetic predisposition are varied.

  • The recommendations differ depending on the gene in question and are specifically tailored to individuals/families.

  • The recommendations change as a result of new discoveries.

  • There are special therapies for mutation carriers. 

  • The knowledge about genetic mutation can be used to stay healthy. 



What should you do if you have a hereditary risk of breast or ovarian cancer?

 

Talks by 

Dr. Natalie Chuck, Medical Doctor of Radiology, Thun Hospital and Psychiatric Services

Dr. Inga Gekes, Assistant Head Doctor of Mastology, Breast Center, KSSG 

Dr. Irene Trummer Sander, Medical Doctor, Gynecological Clinic, Wil Hospital 


  • Prevention: What options are out there?

  • Removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes is recommended: for BRCA1 patients, between age 35 and 40; for BRCA2 patients, between age 40 and 45 

  • This significantly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. 

  • No clear influence on the recurrence of breast cancer 

  • Improved prognosis for breast cancer 

  • Considerable decrease of mortality overall 

  • Hormone replacement therapy is usually advisable.

  • In the future, possibly removing the fallopian tubes first and the ovaries later



Exercise and nutrition – What’s good for you and what isn’t? 


Talk by Prof. Dr. Marion Kiechle, Director of the Hospital for Gynecology, Technical University of Munich

 

  • It has been shown that female athletes have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. 

  • Prof. Kiechle: “Nutrition is cancer prevention and cancer therapy!”

  • Obesity in particular plays a major role.

  • When someone who has breast cancer reduces the amount of fat in their diet, they have a lower risk of relapsing.

  • A moderate exercise regimen demonstrates a clear benefit, regardless of BMI.

  • Both factors (nutrition and exercise) also apply to BRCA mutation carriers.

  • Recommended nutrition: Mediterranean. 



What can I do if affected? 


Conversations with

Dr. Manuela Rabaglio, President of the SAKK Genetics Working Group (CPTC)

Jasmin von Wartburg, Nutrition and Prevention Coach 

Ursula Ganz-Blätter, SAKK Patient Council


Pointers:


  • Take time to study the topic and look for support – including professionally

  • Everyone has a right to know about genetic risks and chances within the family.

  • Everyone has a right to not know. 

  • There are no guarantees – which is why there are no binding universal rules when it comes to potentially harmful genetic predispositions.

  • It is my life, right here, right now. I bear responsibility only for myself, not for others. 

  • Counselling services help you weigh the options.



Decision-making tools and coaching


Talk by Prof. Dr. Kerstin Rhiem, Medical Doctor, Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Cologne University Hospital (DE)


  • The Cologne University Hospital follows guidelines

  • Close interdisciplinary collaboration, e.g. with breast study nurses is advisable 

  • BRCA networks are a great resource. We hosted the network from Germany. 

 


 

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