Tulane Cancer Center recently welcomed Genetic Counselor Nicolette Walano to its multidisciplinary cancer care team.  Nikki joins Chris Dvorak - both from Tulane's Hayward Genetics Center - in assisting select Tulane cancer patients in making informed decisions about the possibilities, limitations and implications of genetic testing.  

"Certain types of cancer are more likely to be hereditary than others,” said Walano, who, along with Dvorak, sees several patients each month in a new genetics clinic within the Cancer Center.  The patients are typically referred because of a family or personal history of cancer.    

“In clinic, we discuss testing options that might be appropriate for that individual, assist in implementing the tests, and then we send results back to the referring physicians (specialists, oncologists or primary care physicians either within Tulane or in the community), along with management guidelines for specific genes if someone is positive for a mutation,” said Walano.

Tulane has offered genetic counseling services since the late 90s. “This testing is different than examining tumor tissue to determine whether certain genetic changes would be responsive to specific treatments," said Dvorak. "It looks for germline mutations that are usually present in every cell of the body and passed down from the prior generation – an inherited susceptibility to cancer.”  

Walano and Dvorak stress that their goal is not to convince patients to do genetic testing.  “We fully inform them of their options and let them decide for themselves if they want to move forward,” said Walano. “Some patients feel knowing they are at a higher risk for a recurrence or for other cancers is too psychologically distressing and instead decide not to participate, and that’s o.k. If they do decide to proceed, we can assist with getting the testing done, generally via either a blood or saliva sample, that same day.”

For some people, this information is empowering.  “When we do pretest counseling, we spend a lot of time talking about the information we will learn, what we can do with it, the risks for cancer involved with specific genes, and inheritance patterns,” said Walano.  “We also point out people in their families who might also be impacted.  It’s important they know this is not just a test for them but a test their entire family could learn from as well.”  

The Fourth Annual Gunning for a Cure Sporting Clays Fundraiser, benefiting Dr. Oliver Sartor's Prostate Cancer Research Program at Tulane Cancer Center, is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, at picturesque Stella Plantation in Braithwaite, Louisiana.

The event is planned and hosted by the family and friends of the late Chalin Perez, one of Dr. Sartor’s former patients.  “I first met Dr. Sartor in the mid-1990s as a teenager," said Chalyn Perez, one of the Perez siblings.  “My father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  The fear and uncertainty that surrounded the diagnosis was felt by every member of our family, but Dr. Sartor's enthusiasm and optimistic attitude instilled confidence in all of us.  Dad lived a full life for years after his diagnosis, traveling, hunting, fishing, working and enjoying his wife and family.  We attribute Dad's success not only to Dr. Sartor's medical knowledge, but also to his overwhelmingly kind and perseverant spirit.  All of his efforts made us believe that there was a way to live with this disease without sacrificing all that you enjoy about life.” 

Through Gunning for a Cure, the Perez family hope to give Dr. Sartor the financial support he needs to continue his research and assist him in his efforts to help other patients and families.  They have raised in excess of $350,000 over the past three years and hope to reach the $500,000 benchmark this year.

The event is a family-friendly affair. In addition to the competitive sporting clays, guests will enjoy a buffet-style lunch, live music, auctions, and tons of activities for the kids, including play areas, bounce houses, touch a truck, raffles and more - all under the stately oaks at Stella.       

“I am humbled and bolstered by the faith the Perez Family and all of the Gunning for a Cure supporters have placed in our Prostate Cancer Program," said Dr. Sartor. "I know well the hard work and passion that goes into raising every dollar produced by this event, and I am committed to using these precious funds to make progress in our shared goal of eradicating this disease — both for those who have valiantly fought the battle and for those fighting still.”

Join the fun and support the fight against prostate cancer at Stella on February 11!  You don't have to be part of a sporting clays team to enjoy the day.  Guest passes are also available.  For more information, visit www.gunningforacure.org.