In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa sits down with author and Lynch Syndrome advocate Tiffany Graham Charkosky for an emotional and deeply honest conversation about genetic legacy, motherhood, grief, and learning how to live fully in the face of hereditary cancer risk.
Tiffany shares her journey of losing her mother at just 11 years old before her family ever knew Lynch Syndrome was part of their story. Years later, after the loss of her uncle Jeff and the discovery of Lynch Syndrome within her family, Tiffany would learn she carried the same genetic mutation herself, all while pregnant with her second son.
Together, Marisa and Tiffany discuss the emotional realities of living with Lynch Syndrome, navigating preventative surgeries, the grief and complexity surrounding family planning decisions, motherhood after diagnosis, and Tiffany’s experience participating in an immunotherapy trial aimed at suppressing tumors.
They also dive into Tiffany’s powerful debut memoir, which explores love, loss, resilience, and what it means to move forward despite a difficult genetic legacy.
Tiffany Graham Charkosky writes about motherhood, medicine, and health, with work featured in Oprah Daily, Literary Hub, Electric Literature, MUTHA Magazine, and more. She currently serves as Director of Arts & Culture at Cleveland Public Library and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, two sons, and dog.
This episode is for anyone navigating Lynch Syndrome, hereditary cancer risk, genetic testing, preventative surgeries, grief, survivorship, or the emotional realities that come with living in the space between fear and hope.
Connect with Tiffany:
Purchase Living Proof: How Love Defied Genetic Legacy:
Topics Discussed:
• Lynch Syndrome
• Genetic testing & hereditary cancer risk
• Losing a parent to cancer
• Preventative hysterectomy
• Pregnancy during diagnosis
• Motherhood after genetic testing
• Immunotherapy trials
• Living with uncertainty
• Memoir writing & advocacy
• Family cancer history
• Emotional impact of hereditary cancer syndromes
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