Your family genetic history is your
future
Genes testing is not a program to see how tough your
Levis are. It is a counseling service that may help tell
you more about your heritage, which ultimately could
extend your life and those of your family members.
Dr. Sue Tobin, medical oncologist/hematologist at BCHS
and Gretchen Neff, certified genetic counselor will discuss
how your family history as seen through genetics can
serve as a window to the future on Thursday, August 27
at Burnham Brook.
The program, which is free to the public, is sponsored
through Senior Health Partners in coordination with Battle
Creek Health System. A lunch will be served at 11:30
a.m. followed by the genetic presentation at noon. Seating
is limited. Reservations can be made by calling the class/seminar
registration line at (877) GO2-BCHS (877-462-2247).
Genetics is a rapidly growing specialty with new developments
emerging virtually daily, This Cancer Care Center program,
in partnership with the Saint Joseph Cancer Institute
in South Bend, Indiana is dedicated to providing the
most up-to-date testing technologies for patients.
Scientific advancements in genetic medicine are enabling
better means to diagnose disease, to predict risk, and
to direct and personalize treatment. Some testing, such
as prenatal or newborn genetic screening, is already
part of mainstream medicine. The use of genetic technologies
in other areas of disease prediction and treatment is
beginning to emerge.
Genetic testing to predict individual risk of developing
certain diseases, such as breast or colon cancer, can
greatly reduce the risk of developing disease by timely
intervention strategies.
Genetic markers can also be used to predict an individual's
response to drug therapy. This 'personalized-medicine'
approach aims to direct specific drug therapy only to
individuals who can respond to it and avoid it in individuals
who cannot benefit. Results include improved drug efficacy;
less delay in initiating effective therapies; the avoidance
of ineffective therapies and their harmful side effects
in individuals who cannot benefit; and potential cost
savings when compared to the usual 'trial-and-error'
approach to drug treatment.
Additional key areas to be covered in the program are:
What is genetic counseling?
How do I know if genetic counseling is for me?
What can I expect from a genetic counseling session?
What does genetic testing involve?
Will my health insurance pay for genetic counseling and
testing?
Can insurance providers discriminate against patients
based on their test results?
According to Dr. Tobin, you might want to consider genetic
testing if you had a diagnosis of cancer under the age
of 50, have been diagnosed with more than one type of
cancer, or have more than two relatives on the same side
of the family with the same type of cancer.
Senior Health Partners, a community partnership of Battle
Creek Health System, CentraCare, Region 3B Area Agency
on Aging, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness
and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun
and surrounding counties.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent
organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic
health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing
homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care
agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS
Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission
on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle
Creek Health System is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades
Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades
is a leading health care information company that provides
objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides
excellent health care for the community and promotes
wellness for the whole person with access and compassion
for all. For the latest medical information, visit the
BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing
Department at (269) 966-8132.
About the Presenters:
Sue Tobin, D.O., FACS received her undergraduate degree
in pharmacy from Ferris State University. She then earned
her medical degree from Michigan State University (MSU)
College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed an internship
and residency in internal medicine from Ingham Regional
Medical Center and a clinical teaching fellowship from
MSU, and an oncology fellowship, also from Ingham Regional
Medical Center.
Prior to joining The Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek
Health System, she practiced at Medical Oncology Associates
and the Breslin Cancer Center at Ingham Regional Medical
Center, Lansing Michigan. In addition, she was assistant
professor of internal medicine at Michigan State University
College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Tobin is board certified in internal medicine and
in medical oncology with special interest in hematology.
She is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology,
the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and the
American Osteopathic Association.
 Gretchen Neff, M.S., CGC was awarded her Bachelor's
degree in biology from Butler University in Indianapolis.
She was graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville,
New York with a masters in genetic counseling. Part of
the Sarah Lawrence curriculum required Neff to complete
six, 10-week and a 12-week summer rotation concentrating
in pediatrics, cancer, and pre-natal settings at both
community and academic hospitals in the New York City
area.
She currently serves as genetic counselor at St. Joseph
Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Indiana working
with oncology patients and their families.
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