Breast Cancer Treatment Surgeon Knoxville, TN - Dr. Aaron Margulies  FACS
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Rss
Passionate. Committed. Your Captain.
  • Home
  • About
    • About Dr. Aaron G. Margulies
    • About Director of Clinical Genetics Services: Imelda G. Margulies MSN, FNP-BC
  • Schedule Appointment
    • Download and Print Patient Forms
      • Dr. Aaron Margulies
        • Breast Care Consultations
        • General Surgery Consultations
      • Imelda Margulies
        • Genetic Counseling and High Risk In Office Consultations
        • Genetic Counseling and High Risk Telehealth Consultations
  • Leave Review
    • Contact
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Cancer Risk Quiz
    • Dr. Margulies Explains Cancer
    • 5 Questions to ask the Radiologist About Breast Cancer Checklist
    • Hidden Scar Surgery
  • Patient Forms
    • Dr. Aaron Margulies
      • Breast Care Consultations
      • General Surgery Consultations
    • Imelda Margulies
      • Genetic Counseling and High Risk Genetic Counseling and High Risk In Office Consultations Consultations
      • Genetic Counseling and High Risk Telehealth Consultations
  • Cancer Risk Quiz
Search the site...
Home» Genetic testing » Knowledge Is Power When It Comes To Genetic Testing: WBIR Segment

Knowledge Is Power When It Comes To Genetic Testing: WBIR Segment

Posted by Dr. Aaron G. Margulies - April 24, 2019 - Genetic testing, Breast Cancer Diagnosis
0

Introducing the Director of Clinical Genetics Services: Imelda G. Margulies MSN, FNP-BCOur Director of Clinical Genetics Service, Imelda G. Margulies, FNP (who is also my beloved wife of 22 years), was featured on WBIR’s Buddy Check 10 series recently. She explained what genetic testing is, how it’s done, and why it’s important.

Our patients are more curious about genetic testing than ever since the American Society of Breast Surgeons’ recommended earlier this year that all breast cancer patients should be offered genetic testing. Margulies agrees with the recommendation wholeheartedly, explaining that genetic testing can benefit not only breast cancer patients, but also their children and subsequent generations to come.

Margulies explained that when she meets with a patient for genetic testing—whether it’s a woman concerned about her risk of breast cancer or a man who wants to understand his  risk of colon cancer—they discuss the patient’s family history, lifestyle, and risk factors. Usually, a blood sample is taken to test the patent’s genetics and look for gene mutations, such as BRCA. About 14-21 days after getting the blood drawn, patients receive their test results and meet with Margulies to go over the results.

She says, “People are afraid that ‘if I carry this mutation, I have cancer,’ and that’s not true.”

If a patient tests positive for a genetic mutation, that doesn’t mean he or she has a cancer diagnosis. Rather, the purpose of genetic testing is finding out if you or your family members are at a higher risk for specific types of cancers, based on heredity or damage to your DNA.

That knowledge is powerful because then your health can be monitored more proactively and you can take any appropriate steps to reduce your risks. Early detection and risk reduction measures could be lifesaving.

Plus, the results from your genetic testing affects your children as well. Margulies says, “If we know that person’s DNA testing reveals a germ-line mutation, then that’s information for their offspring, the children have a 50/50 chance.”

“That certainly does mean they have a pre-disposed higher risk and we need to offer higher screening and it could be mammograms, it could be in addition to that an MRI screening for breast cancer,”

She explained. “For me always, knowledge is power and I think that’s what many people may not have is the knowledge of are they at risk, are they maybe not at risk? Maybe they need to do certain lifestyle choices to help lower the risk.”

Watch WBIR’s Buddy Check 10: Genetic testing for breast cancer patients.

In another WBIR segment, Margulies cautioned that consumer DNA kits like 23andMe don’t test for all genes and possible variants. They only test 3 variants out of the thousands of variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes known to increase breast and ovarian cancer, and should not be relied upon for medical information from genetic testing.

Margulies noted that not all insurances cover genetic testing, but at our office, patients have the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out of the testing before any tests on the blood work are done.

She said, “Regardless of any patient who does walk in our door, we do the risk assessment, we do the family tree, we find out who’s at high risk for needing the testing. If that patient does want to get the blood work drawn, there’s no penalty for getting the blood drawn at all. Any patient that I draw their blood work, if it costs to pay out of pocket, more than zero dollars, that patient will get a phone call from the lab. If they don’t get the phone call from the laboratory that means that they don’t have to pay a penny.”

Margulies is trained to counsel and test for the BRCA gene mutation (HBOC), which can cause breast and ovarian cancer, for Lynch Syndrome (HNPCC), which can cause colorectal and uterine cancer; and other multiple cancer gene syndromes impacting inherited risks for cancers.

If you’re interested in discussing genetic testing with Imelda Margulies, or if you’d like to discuss the most advanced surgical treatments for breast cancer with Dr. Aaron Margulies, give us a call at  (865) 692-1610.

We are committed to serving patients at offices in Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center in West Knoxville, at Tennova North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, and at offices in Newport and Newport. To learn more, visit www.aaronmd.com or call (865) 692-1610.

  • Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
BRCA gene, Genetic testing and breast cancer

Dr. Margulies practices sees patients in West Knoxville at Turkey Creek Medical Center, in Powell just off of Emory Road​ adjacent to North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital and Newport Medical Center.

Dr. Margulies performs surgeries at Tennova’s Turkey Creek Medical Center and North Knoxville Medical Center, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, at Newport Medical Center and at Parkwest Medical Center.

Learn more about Dr. Margulies here.

Hidden Scar Provider

Click here to learn more about Hidden Scar Surgery.

Schedule an Appointment

If you need to request an appointment, please call (865) 692-1610 and ask for Dr. Aaron Margulies.

Connect with Me

  • (865) 692-1610
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Youtube

Patient Testimonials

“Thank you for all you’ve done to teach me along this incredible journey.”

Kaitlin

Thank you for being the exceptional doctor. By this I mean your thorough explanations, your caring manner and your hugs! I felt completely relaxed in your hands!

Jane
Thanks so much for your help with my cancer, thank God I am well. You are a special person and may God bless you and your staff.
Mary

“I find it very comforting to have my surgeon pray with me and for me and call me himself to give reports on my condition. Thank you!”

Mary
You are a very wonderful doctor, very kind and sweet. I want to thank you for praying for me before I had my surgery. You don’t find many doctors like you that believe in prayer, I believe in prayer. May God bless you.
Heather

Recent Articles

  • DCIS Treatment – What Are My Options?
  • What Is Actually Considered “Family History” Or “High Risk” Of Breast Cancer?
  • How Accurate Is Genetic Testing, And When Should You Consider It?
  • How Telemedicine Can Help With Breast Cancer Concerns During COVID-19 
  • What You Need To Know About Surgeries During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Search Articles

Topics

  • Breast Cancer Diagnosis
  • Breast Cancer Research
  • Breast Cancer Surgery
  • Breast Cancer Treatment
  • Cancer Survival
  • Genetic testing
  • Knoxville Community
  • Patient Stories

Resources

  • Abercrombie Radiology
  • American Board of Surgery
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Society of Breast Surgeons
  • Breast 360
  • Breast Cancer Statistics
  • Breast Cancer Terms
  • Breast Connect
  • Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center
  • Mastery of Breast Surgery
  • Society of Surgical Oncology
(c) 2020 Dr. Aaron Margulies - Web Design by Baker Labs
  • Home
  • About
  • Schedule Appointment
  • Leave Review
  • Patient Resources
  • Patient Forms
  • Cancer Risk Quiz
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.