Circle of Hope

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is rare. But this inherited syndrome can significantly impact the families who have it. Li-Fraumeni syndrome happens when mutations occurs to the TP53 gene, and it increases the risk for developing many types of cancer. Learn what it means if your family has Li-Fraumeni syndrome and how genetic counselors can help you manage your cancer risk.

“I love that the Community Advisory Board continues advocating for improving the quality of life of all the communities in Utah,” says Sara Carbajal-Salisbury. Sara talks about joining the HCI Community Advisory Board in order to help bring cancer prevention education, cancer screening, clinical trials, and other resources to Utah’s Hispanic community.

Dr. Phoebe Freer, a radiologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and chief of breast imaging in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at University of Utah Health, provides insight on breast cancer screening and the COVID-19 vaccine.

Most people should follow the general cancer screening guidelines recommended by Huntsman Cancer Institute experts. But for some people with additional risk factors, such as a family history of cancer or exposure to cancer-causing substances like tobacco, these general recommendations may not be enough. Learn why cancer screening is so important and how to find out if you need to follow a different screening plan.

People with cancer are at increased risk of illness and death from the COVID-19 virus. Huntsman Cancer Institute is among many cancer centers and organizations nationwide urging government leaders and health departments to prioritize access to COVID-19 vaccines for people with cancer and survivors of cancer.

Country singer and music teacher Kaci Whitby was blindsided by a breast cancer diagnosis at age 31. Genetic testing revealed she had the BRCA mutation, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. After going through chemo and surgery, Kaci is now in follow-up care. She talks about the moments she is grateful for—spending time with family and sharing her love of music with her students.

“[Huntsman Cancer Institute] is a place where we do the right things for the right reasons,” says Bill Salter, PhD, director of radiation oncology. In this Talks with Docs video, Salter explains what radiation oncology is and talks about why he turned down the chance to work on modeling the space station in order to help people with cancer.

For decades, researchers have used a line of “immortal” human cells that can be grown over and over in the lab. Known as HeLa cells, they originally came from a Black woman named Henrietta Lacks without her knowledge or consent. HCI’s Cancer Learning Center reviews the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which tells Lacks’s story and explores the issues of ethics and racism in scientific research.