Morris County Library Offers Program on Hereditary Breast Cancer

Published on October 09, 2018

Genetic Counselor to Address Family History, Prevention for Women Under 50

On October 24th, 2018, at 7 p.m., Jessica Heinzmann, a certified genetic counselor at Morristown Medical Center, will be giving a public presentation at Morris County Library, "Breast Cancer in Women under 50." Heinzmann will describe the factors that increase the probability of breast cancer in this population, the measures that women can take to safeguard their health, and more. A Q&A session will follow. The program is free and no reservations are required.

We're excited to be hosting this authoritative, informative presentation that may have a truly dramatic impact on the health of our patrons, says Library Director Susan Calantone. And it's an extra bonus to be partnering with a distinguished neighboring institution like Morristown Medical Center.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (only lung cancer kills more women each year). Death rates from female breast cancer dropped 39 percent from 1989 to 2015. But although breast cancer deaths have continued to decrease in older women since 2007, these rates have been steady in females younger than 50. The decreases are believed to be the result of finding breast cancer earlier through screening and increased awareness, as well as better treatments.

Jessica Heinzmann, MS, CGC, is a board certified genetic counselor at Atlantic Health System and sees patients both at Overlook and Morristown Medical Centers. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Rutgers University and her masters in genetic counseling from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She has specialized in cancer genetics for over ten years. She counsels patients and their families who are at high risk and discusses the pros and cons of genetic testing, implications of test results for the patient and their relatives, as well as insurance issues.

Morris County Library is located at 30 East Hanover Ave. in Whippany. The library is funded directly by the County Freeholders as a hub for learning, information, entertainment, and creative exchange. In addition to offering new books, research help, public computers, and public programs, the county library supplements Morris County's municipal libraries with extensive reference and circulating collections, public meeting rooms, Libraries-by-Mail and other county-wide initiatives. For more information about Morris County Library, go to www.mclib.info.