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Meet a Rivkin Edu Instructor: Lauren Grabowski

The Rivkin Center’s Rivkin Education Program

Lauren-grabowskiThe Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer’s Education program provides free health education workshops. Rivkin Edu instructors educate women about their breast and ovarian health and cancer risks.

Say hello to Lauren Grabowski, Rivkin Edu instructor.

About Lauren

Where are you from? Vacaville, California (Cowtown!)

Where do you live now and what does a typical day look like for you? I live in sunny Los Angeles! A typical day for me is jumping between my Rivkin Edu workshop, internship, and UCLA public health and social work classes.

What do you do for fun? I love to scream like a 5-year-old while boogie boarding in the Pacific Ocean.

What is your favorite mantra? Move on, Lean in, Invest more

What is your favorite drink? Milkshakes

What advice would you give to your younger self? Quality over quantity…

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my little brothers, who are passionate, humble, and make me laugh till I pee.

Where has been your favorite place to travel? Munich, Germany

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I helped start Still Waters Cancer Retreat, a nonprofit focused on serving the spiritual needs of cancer patients.

Where do you go to find inspiration? Anywhere! Traveling inspires me.

Where’s your happy place? Outside in the sunshine surrounded by good friends.

Who is your role model or mentor? My parents who have always encouraged me to be kind and stand tall.

How Lauren got involved

What inspired you to get involved with Rivkin Edu? I started with Rivkin Edu as a student ambassador at UCLA because I was passionate about health education and public health. During my time as an ambassador, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 21. After my own treatment, I became more passionate about educating young adults about the importance of knowing their bodies and prioritizing their health.

What is your favorite memory from a Rivkin Edu party? I *LOVE* working with Gail (the UCLA facilitator) and always introduce her as my best friend in the workshops. Every memory with her is my favorite! I am only a little obsessed with her 😉

How can people help to support someone going through cancer? Act normal, listen closely, and send them funny youtube videos on treatment days.

What is the most important thing you want to learn at a Rivkin Edu party? I want UCLA and USC students to prioritize their health. With classes, extracurricular activity, and social outings, undergraduate students tend to place their health as last on the priority list. HEALTH IS #1!

Do you have any events coming up? I am excited to start workshops in the fall at UCLA and USC. As a Triple Bruin, I am still getting used to the idea of teaching on Trojan soil… but my passion for health thankfully is more important than the rivalry!

Learn more about the Rivkin Edu program

Want to learn more about becoming an facilitator? Share your story.


Talk to your Family

Talking to your family and identifying cancer in your family tree can be a good indicator of your health risks. Download our Family Tree Worksheet here.  Be sure to include yourself, children, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Get Educated

Know your body and be proactive about your health. Learn about your breast and ovarian health. Learn about the risk factors and signs & symptoms for breast and ovarian cancer.

Trusted Healthcare Provider

Having a relationship with a health care provider you know and trust is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care. Click here to find a provider

Higher Risk in the Ashkenazi Jewish Population

In the general population, around 1 in 400 people carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. People of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a 1 in 40 chance of carrying a BRCA mutation, making them 10 times as likely to carry a BRCA mutation as someone in the general population. Whether you’re a man or a woman, if you have a BRCA mutation then there is a 50% chance of passing the mutation on to your children, whether they are boys or girls. It’s important to note that these mutations significantly increase risk, but are not a guarantee a person will get cancer.

Why is the Ashkenazi Jewish population at higher risk?

Over 90% of the BRCA mutations found in the Jewish community are one of three “founder mutations”. A founder mutation is a specific gene mutation in a population that was founded by a small group of ancestors that were geographically or culturally isolated. Because the population was isolated, the rate of founder mutations in descendants is much higher than it would be if the population were larger and co-mingling with more genetically diverse populations. A large expansion in the population caused the current high frequency of the mutations in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. If you are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, the chance of carrying a BRCA gene mutation compared to the general population is increased tenfold. BRCA mutations can be passed down from either your mother’s or father’s side, and may be associated with any of the following cancers:
  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer, fallopian tube, peritoneal cancer
  • Male breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Colon Cancer

Ready to take action? Knowledge is power. Take this short quiz to be proactive about your health.

Genes 101

Our bodies are made of many tiny building blocks called cells. Our cells contain a copy of our genome – all of the DNA genetic code we inherited from our parents. Our genome is organized into 46 chromosomes, 23 inherited from mom and 23 from dad. Each chromosome has hundreds or thousands of genes. Each gene has the instructions to make a protein that may control the structure or function of cells, can determine many things including how tall we are or the color of our eyes. Genes also contain instructions for many things inside of us that we cannot see, such as how our bones are formed or how our heart works. Each gene is made up of molecules called nucleic acids (A, T, C, and G). The specific sequence of the nucleic acids holds the instructions that control all the components and their functions in cells.

If the DNA sequence is changed, like a spelling mistake, the instructions may not make sense. The technical term for this change is “mutation,” meaning there is a change to the usual genetic code that may change the instructions stored in the gene. A mutation in a gene that repairs DNA damage or controls cell growth can increase the risk of developing cancer.

Sporadic vs Hereditary Cancers:

Ovarian and breast cancer can be either sporadic or hereditary. Sporadic cancers make up the vast majority (85-90%) of ovarian and breast cancers and are not associated with family history of either cancer or inherited cancer-associated mutations. Sporadic cancers arise from genetic mutations acquired in some cells of the body by events part of normal metabolism and environmental factors. This type of cancer can happen to anyone. Most acquired gene mutations are not shared among relatives or passed on to children.

Hereditary (also known as inherited, or familial) cancers are those that occur due to genetic mutations that are inherited from mom or dad. Other blood relatives may also share these same gene mutations. Parents give one copy of each gene to their children. If a parent has a genetic mutation in a gene, each of their children have a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation. Therefore, even in families with hereditary cancer, not all family members inherit the mutation that is causing cancer, and their risk of cancer is similar to the average person in the general population. Individuals who are suspected to have a family history with high incidence of ovarian, breast, and other cancers may be offered genetic testing to try to find the specific genetic mutation that may put them at risk. Importantly, individuals who do not have a known genetic mutation but have high incidence of ovarian, breast, or other cancers in their families are still considered at higher risk for developing those cancers.

Hereditary cancers often occur at an earlier age than the sporadic form of the same cancer, so experts often recommend starting cancer screening at a younger age for individuals at high risk for hereditary cancer. Hereditary cancers can also be more aggressive than the sporadic form of the same cancer. Individuals who have inherited a gene mutation may be at a higher risk for more than one type of cancer.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2: Most Common hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

The genes that are most commonly involved in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) are BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes are named for their link to breast (BR) cancer (CA), but they are also linked to ovarian cancer risk as well as other cancers. Both women and men can inherit mutations in these HBOC genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes that have a usual role in our body of providing instructions on repairing DNA damage and preventing cancer. When a family has an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, this leads to an increase in cancer risk. Not every man or woman who has inherited a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene will develop cancer, but people who have a mutation do have a significanlty increased chance of developing cancer, particularly cancer of the breasts or ovaries.

While breast and ovarian cancers are the most common cancers diagnosed in people with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, the risk of some other cancers is also increased. Men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a higher risk of early-onset prostate cancer than men without mutations in either gene. Other cancers seen at increased rates, particularly in individuals with BRCA2 mutations, include pancreatic cancer and melanoma. Researchers are continuing to find new genes that are involved in hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer so it is important to follow up with a genetic counselor on a regular basis if hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is likely in your family.

Talk to your family about your health history and take the Assess Your Risk quiz here

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