BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 11

since receiving treatit done. "It's not like
ment. She continues
screening for a disto have annual coloease that can't be
noscopies and CT
treated. It's prevenscans, with blood work
tive," she says.
twice a year.
She plans to have
"I think about
her children tested for
cancer on a daily
Lynch syndrome when
Dr. Intan Schrader
basis," Claudia says.
they turn 18, and if they
Because of her Lynch
test positive they will
syndrome, the chances of developing
start having cancer screening, such as
cancer again still weigh heavily on
colonoscopies, at the age of 23, 10 years
her mind.
before the age Claudia was when she
She tries to remain positive, but
was diagnosed. "The earlier you dissometimes her thoughts spiral and
cover cancer the better," she says. "The
her "hamster-wheel brain" kicks
more screening we do, the more people
in, she says. Her kids are now eight
will survive."
and six years old and although she
Dr. Intan Schrader, co-lead of the
thought she appreciated life before
Hereditary Cancer Program, agrees that
her diagnosis, Claudia says she appretesting is important: "The goal of prociates it even more now. "Life is so
viding hereditary testing to individuals
precious," she says.
and members of high-risk families is to
Claudia says screening
present an opportunity for early detecfor hereditary cancer is
tion and prevention of certain types
imperative for highof cancer. By more quickly identifying
risk people and
those with a hereditary mutation, the
they shouldn't
Hereditary Cancer Program team aims
be scared to get
to increase their chances of survival."

HELP FOR
FAMILIES
FACING
CANCER
Through the generosity of donors at the
2017 Inspiration Gala,
$2.71 million was raised
to benefit BC Cancer's
Hereditary Cancer
Program. Funds will
enable genetic screening for all patients with
advanced cancer, to
identify individuals with
a hereditary cancer gene
in order to offer personalized treatment for the
individual and screening
for their family members.
BC Cancer Foundation is
incredibly grateful to the
Chan Family Foundation
for their generous contribution of $600,000 and
to Laurie Rix for making
a $500,000 donation in
memory of her late husband, Neil McRae.

PREVENTING CANCER FOR
THE NEXT GENERATION
To learn more about the Hereditary Cancer
Program, visit bccancerfoundation.com.

Claudia Pavao and her husband, John, with
their children Elizabeth and Christopher.

BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM

11



http://www.bccancerfoundation.com http://www.BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018

BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Healthy Insights
Researcher Profile
When a young person faces cancer
Claudia Pavao’s hereditary cancer diagnosis could save her life and help her kids
Addressing the challenging psychology of cancer
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 2
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - Opening Thoughts
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - Healthy Insights
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 5
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - Researcher Profile
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - When a young person faces cancer
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 8
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 9
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - Claudia Pavao’s hereditary cancer diagnosis could save her life and help her kids
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 11
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - Addressing the challenging psychology of cancer
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 13
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 14
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 15
BC Cancer - Partners in Discovery - Spring 2018 - 16
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