Monika Zak-Aptekar is a senior genetic counselor with specialty in cancer genetics. She developed and currently runs the cancer genetics program at Winthrop University Hospital. Since 2003, Winthrop has offered genetic counseling and risk assessment for patients with hereditary predisposition to cancer syndromes. Monika has a master’s degree in Biology and Education, and a second master’s degree in Human Genetics.
There is a huge misconception among general population about breast cancer and genetic predisposition. First of all, most cancers are not inherited. Only about 10% of all the cancers are due to a specific genetic change that had been inherited from one of the parents. The other 90% are sporadic cancers, which affect usually older [...]
