Organization raises awareness of hereditary cancers

Most people don’t associate cancer with college-age students, but a group of Grand Valley students is hoping to raise awareness and support for students who are at risk of developing hereditary cancers.

“BRCAn’t Stop Me” is a new student organization dedicated to spreading the word about hereditary cancers and the importance of getting tested. It’s the first organization of its kind on a Michigan college campus.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, or breast cancer genes 1 and 2, are the most well-known genes linked to breast cancer risk. BRCA gene mutations can be passed to children from either parent and can affect the risk of developing other cancers in women and men.

“People don’t talk about breast cancer in their 20s. We like to talk about it at a younger age so we can be proactive,” said Mollie Smith, founder of BRCAn’t Stop Me.

While everyone carries the BRCA gene, women with the gene mutation, like Smith, are 60 to 80 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than the average person.

When Smith, a senior from Milford, came to Grand Valley, she said she felt alone so she began researching resources then started the student organization. “I formed this organization to meet and connect with people and gain a support system, as well as raise awareness of this gene mutation,” Smith said.

Bailee Orman, a senior from Climax, is the organization’s risk management officer.

“I knew it was important for me to get tested in order to take the necessary steps for early detection and prevention of hereditary cancers,” Orman said.

BRCAn’t Stop Me also provides support to those who have or had a loved one with hereditary cancer or have a family history of hereditary cancers.

“Sharing your experience makes a big difference because you know you’re not alone,” Smith said.

Ingrid Johnson is an assistant professor of movement science and founder of Grand Valley’s Cancer Warriors. Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2012 and was surprised to find at the time that the university did not house a cancer support group.

With the help of Fred Antzack, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Sue Sloop, Work Life consultant, Johnson founded Cancer Warriors.

“We believe that it’s important for the Grand Valley community to not only have a support group to help deal with cancer but we also want to do outreach and education,” Johnson said. “Each month we have a meeting with a different speaker or leader.”

Since the formation of Cancer Warriors, five other student organizations, including BRCAn’t Stop Me, have been established to educate students about the disease, as well as offer support to those affected by it through both meetings and philanthropic endeavors.

Johnson hopes that these groups will continue to grow. “We’ve had great support from the local community, and we hope to keep the Cancer Warriors group going,” she said.

BRCAn’t Stop Me will host a Genetic Counselor Seminar on February 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, room 2266. Two counselors from Spectrum Health will give a presentation on who should be tested, how to get tested, what BRCA is, and preventative measures one can take. This event is LIB 100 approved.

For more information about BRCAn’t Stop Me, click here.