In the Family

When Chicago filmmaker Joanna Rudnick tested positive for the "breast cancer gene" at age 27, she knew she was not only confronting mortality at an early age and a choice about her future. Should she take the irreversible preventive step of having her breasts and ovaries removed or risk developing cancer? Rudnick reaches out to other women while facing her deepest fears.

In this additional scene from 'In the Family', filmmaker Joanna Rudnick asks the scientists at Myriad, a genetic and biopharmaceutical company, to explain the science behind the genetic mutation that causes hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

In this additional scene from 'In the Family', filmmaker Joanna Rudnick talks to Dr. C. Andrew Salzberg, a plastic surgeon who specializes in reconstructive surgery following mastectomy, to learn more about the procedure.

In this additional scene from 'In the Family', cancer survivor Olga and her family discuss the high rate of breast cancer among Latina women and a cultural reluctance to discuss concerns with medical professionals.

In this additional scene from 'In the Family', three sisters know that the breast cancer gene runs in their family. A genetic counselor explains some of their options for reducing their risk for cancer.

In this additional scene from 'In the Family', African American women discuss the need to raise awareness for genetic testing and surveillance methods among their communities. Studies have shown that the breast cancer (BRCA1) gene mutation is prevalent among African American women with breast cancer.

In the first clip associated with the 'In the Family' lesson plan, which is animated, a doctor explains how a gene mutation can raise a woman's risk for breast cancer. Students should discuss how genetic and environmental factors influence a person's health.

In the second clip from the 'In the Family' lesson plan, filmmaker Joanna Rudnick visits a support group and hears about the medical treatment choices and consequences of a number of women who tested positive for the breast cancer mutation. Discuss treatment choices students would make if they were in that situation.

The Hankes, a family of three sisters, get the results of their genetic tests and find that two of the three sisters tested positive for the breast cancer gene. Students should discuss how factors (e.g., age, marital status, family history) might influence a person's decisions about genetic testing.

Filmmaker Joanna Rudnick talks about her 2009 Emmy-nominated film 'In the Family', what she would tell others who are looking to get tested for genetic mutations and how making the film has changed her.

In this clip from 'In the Family,' filmmaker Joanna Rudnick interviews the founder of Myriad Genetics about his patent on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.