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. 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.