TAMPA, Fla. — A cancer survivor says genetic testing saved her life.
Marisa Butera was battling breast cancer when she learned she had markers for another cancer.
What You Need To Know
- Dr. Thomas Rutherford says genetic testing has made "leaps and bounds in the treatment for patients and also prevention of cancer."
- Marisa Butera is now cancer free and says genetic testing saved her life
- LINK: Centers For Disease Control And Prevention information about genetic testing
- LINK: National Cancer Institute on who should be tested and how it is done
“If I wouldn’t have gotten genetic testing, I would have never known that I had the medullary thyroid cancer and I wouldn’t be here, because it was at stage three,” said Butera.
Dr. Thomas Rutherford, medical director of Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Genetics Team, said genetic testing has made tremendous strides in the treatment for patients and also prevention of cancer.
“So, it gives us a focus, and what should we be screening a patient and their family for diseases that they could possibly get in the future,” said Rutherford, who also serves as medical director of TGH’s Cancer Institute and Director of USF Health’s Division of Gynecology and Oncology.
Rutherford says he’s excited about new technologies and radiologic techniques. He is not Butera’s doctor, but he does provide guidance for families like hers who are deciding whether genetic testing is for them.
“I wanted to know because I wanted to protect my daughters and then my granddaughter, too,” Butera said of her decision.
Additional family members, including Butera’s cousin, Leslie Ferrell, also wanted an in-depth look at their DNA.
“I believe in being proactive," said Ferrell. “Had Marisa not been, she might not be sitting here right now in reality."
About a dozen of Marisa's relatives decided to get genetic testing done. Some family members did not want to know.
The National Cancer Institute reports some decide against testing because of the psychological stress that can come from learning of a genetic change. Butera says she felt the opposite.
“If I wouldn’t have done this genetic testing, I would have never known and it would have been too late,” said Butera.
She had chemotherapy, surgery and radiation treatments for the breast cancer. She continues physical therapy as part of that treatment. Additional surgery later addressed the thyroid cancer.
“I got the news today that everything’s good on the MRI, so there’s nothing to be concerned about, so it’s a good day," Butera said.
A good day, as she celebrates being cancer free.