In this moving episode of Heard: Listening to Women, Leading with Care, Dr. Gurinder Sidhu, an oncologist-hematologist with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, sits down with her patient and colleague, Tamie Gittens, for an emotional conversation about health, family and survival.
What began as a routine checkup turned into a life-changing discovery — Tamie carries the APC gene mutation (adenomatous polyposis coli), a hereditary genetic mutation that can lead to colon cancer if not detected early. Her story highlights the importance of genetic testing, knowing your family health history and advocating for your care.
As an oncology nurse herself, Tamie shares what it was like to move from caregiver to patient, how her colon cancer diagnosis affected her family and how early testing helped protect the next generation.
With powerful reflections on faith, family and the importance of being truly heard, this episode brings attention to the critical role of early cancer detection and the impact of inherited cancer risk.
HEARD is about listening to women in our community — making sure they’re seen, supported, and empowered to take charge of their health.
