Amy Armstrong is a breast cancer survivor — but stomach cancer also runs in her family. SurvivorNet has had the pleasure of interviewing both her mother and her brother, and the family’s situation is quite unique — but also quite important to help our users understand just how helpful genetic testing can be.
“[My mom] uncovered that she had a very rare stomach cancer gene called CDH1,” Amy said. “If you have this gene, not only is it incredibly rare, but you’re also confronted [with] making a pretty big decision to avoid getting stomach cancer. You have to have a prophylactic gastrectomy. When my mom found out that she had the gene, it had a domino effect for not only her siblings to be tested for the gene, but also her children and 3 out of 4 of us, my siblings, tested positive for the gene.”
Amy went on to explain that CDH1 is a dominant gene — so there’s a 50/50 chance of passing it on to a child. Amy chose to have the prophylactic gastrectomy (have her stomach removed) to reduce her chance of getting cancer. She was also told, at the time, that she wouldn’t be able to have children … but thanks to incredible advancements in genetic technology — Amy is now a mom to two.
“I was determined to look into some alternative [conception] methods to eliminate the gene because it’s a 50/50 chance,” Amy said. “So I went through the IVF (in-vitro fertilization) route … I’m very thankful for IVF because the odds were against me and my children, that they would have this gene. Now, I’m happy to report: it’s been two years since I’ve had any surgery and I feel fabulous, I look fabulous, and hopefully all of that is behind me.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Amy Armstrong is a breast cancer survivor — but stomach cancer also runs in her family. SurvivorNet has had the pleasure of interviewing both her mother and her brother, and the family’s situation is quite unique — but also quite important to help our users understand just how helpful genetic testing can be.
“[My mom] uncovered that she had a very rare stomach cancer gene called CDH1,” Amy said. “If you have this gene, not only is it incredibly rare, but you’re also confronted [with] making a pretty big decision to avoid getting stomach cancer. You have to have a prophylactic gastrectomy. When my mom found out that she had the gene, it had a domino effect for not only her siblings to be tested for the gene, but also her children and 3 out of 4 of us, my siblings, tested positive for the gene.”
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Amy went on to explain that CDH1 is a dominant gene — so there’s a 50/50 chance of passing it on to a child. Amy chose to have the prophylactic gastrectomy (have her stomach removed) to reduce her chance of getting cancer. She was also told, at the time, that she wouldn’t be able to have children … but thanks to incredible advancements in genetic technology — Amy is now a mom to two.
“I was determined to look into some alternative [conception] methods to eliminate the gene because it’s a 50/50 chance,” Amy said. “So I went through the IVF (in-vitro fertilization) route … I’m very thankful for IVF because the odds were against me and my children, that they would have this gene. Now, I’m happy to report: it’s been two years since I’ve had any surgery and I feel fabulous, I look fabulous, and hopefully all of that is behind me.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
