By BARB BOGOLIN

I live in Hermitage, Pa. but all of my cancer treatment was done at the Hope Center in Howland. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2014. After my mastectomy, my oncologist, Dr. Lori Hemrock, had me do a cancer family tree. Due to the extensive history of cancer on my paternal side — different types — I was referred to genetic testing. The testing found that I had a PTEN genetic mutation.

That meant there was a high risk for a second breast cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer and kidney cancer. I had a number of surgeries and follow up tests. One of the tests showed a tumor on my kidney, which was removed.

Genetic testing saved my life because I met no risk factors for that cancer and there are / were no easy tests to check. I know of cancer survivors that don’

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