UW Medicine Pulse Ep1305: Taking Action Against Breast Cancer

On May 13th, 2013 Angelina Jolie announced to the world that she had made a decision to have a preventative double mastectomy to significantly diminish the possibility of developing breast cancer. She wrote in an op ed for the New York Times, “Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action.” On this week’s show you’ll meet the researcher, Mary-Claire King, who worked long and hard to discover that gene and change the lives of women forever. We’ll also talk with Stephanie Cone, a western Washington woman who, years before Jolie, made the same crucial decision with her two sisters. And finally, you’ll see first hand how the work at UW Medicine runs full circle from lab to bedside in our discussion with UW Physician Elizabeth Swisher. #BreastCancer