By Verna Simmons Robinson, MSN, RNCCM, CMCN
The ATM gene can be a silent killer. In 2024, my mother passed away due to cancer and its side effects. She had received a notification to come in for an examination because of concerning test results, but she had a fear of physicians and felt embarrassed about being examined, so she delayed going in.
Before her passing, multiple cousins—both younger and older—also died from various cancer diagnoses. These included pancreatic, colon, bladder, breast, and prostate cancer. Some family members who are still living have also developed bladder, gallbladder, and pancreatic cancer.
While caring for my mother and taking her to appointments, I, as a case manager, informed the oncologist about the number of relatives who had died from cancer and those who were still living with diagnoses. The oncologist asked for consent for genetic testing, and we agreed.
The results revealed that she had an ATM gene mutation. We were informed that this mutation can be passed from one family member to another. After receiving a diagnosis like this, the question becomes: what do you do to help prolong your life besides seeking help and acting on it?
The ATM gene mutation is inherited, meaning it can be passed from one generation to the next. If a parent carries the altered gene, there is a risk it will be transmitted to their children, who may then pass it on to their own offspring. This pattern can continue through generations and shape a family’s medical history. Without early detection and consistent monitoring, the ATM gene variant may remain within a family and affect multiple generations.
The ATM gene encodes a protein primarily found in the nucleus, where it helps regulate how cells grow and divide. This protein also plays an important role in the development and function of several body systems, including the nervous and immune systems. In addition, the ATM protein helps cells recognize damaged or broken DNA strands.
DNA damage can occur from toxic chemicals, radiation, or naturally during cell division when chromosomes exchange genetic material. The ATM protein coordinates DNA repair by activating enzymes that repair broken strands. Efficient DNA repair helps maintain the stability of the cell’s genetic information.
Because of its central role in cell division and DNA repair, the ATM protein is of great interest in cancer research. Studies show that people with an altered ATM gene may have a higher likelihood of developing cancers of the breast, stomach, bladder, pancreas, lungs, and ovaries compared with non-carriers.
The federal government estimated that about 2 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) in 2025, and more than 618,000 individuals died from the disease. According to the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2025, about 40% of these cases can be attributed to preventable causes such as smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive sun exposure. Public health interventions in cancer prevention and screening helped avert approximately 5.94 million cancer deaths between 1975 and 2020.
Steps such as quitting smoking (or never starting), maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, protecting your skin from the sun, and getting vaccinated against pathogens that cause certain cancers can dramatically reduce risk.
Many organizations also support individuals with cancer diagnoses. These groups organize walks, runs, bike rides, meals, and other events to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. However, their impact depends on active participation and community involvement.
As a case manager, your role is ongoing and vital to the well-being of those you care for. Case managers are often the first point of contact for patients facing serious illness. You provide support, encouragement, and sometimes prayer for those dealing with the reality of a cancer diagnosis. Your role places you in a position to offer immediate support during some of the most difficult moments in a patient’s life.
The effectiveness of nursing support in cancer care often depends on the patient’s willingness to accept help. A case manager’s primary responsibility is to respond to the patient’s needs while offering guidance, education, and support when it is welcomed.
Hearing the words “cancer diagnosis” can be devastating, regardless of where the cancer is in the body. The emotional weight does not change whether the cancer is treatable, detected early, or in advanced stages. Simply hearing those words can bring an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty, highlighting the profound psychological impact that accompanies the physical challenges of the disease.
There are treatments, but their effectiveness varies based on the cancer stage and the individual’s readiness to face treatment. The important thing is that science continues to advance, developing new treatments and improving outcomes.
The ATM gene can impact entire families if it goes undetected and unmonitored. As with any cancer risk, it is important to follow up regularly with healthcare providers, continue recommended testing, and stay informed. Some individuals may also consider preventive surgical options when appropriate and recommended.
Knowledge, early detection, and proactive care can make the difference between a family history of loss and a future defined by prevention, awareness, and hope.
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Verna Simmons Robinson has been a dedicated nurse for several decades. She began her career as an LVN and later earned both her BSN and MSN from UT El Paso. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles across insurance, acute care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings.
Among these experiences, her work as a Case Manager has been especially fulfilling, as it allows her to care for the whole patient—clinically, emotionally, and socially. Her professional background includes roles such as Complex Case Manager, Disease Management Nurse, Utilization Review and Prior Authorization Nurse, Project Manager, Health Nurse Manager, and Educator. She has worked extensively in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with experience in case management, utilization review, retrospective review, coding, and currently, population health.
In addition to her professional work, Verna is committed to mentoring emerging professionals in the field. She is an active board member of the Case Management Society of America (CMSA), serving on the Membership Committee for CMSA Houston, and also serves as an Educator on the board of the Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston.
Verna is solution-driven, with a passion for advocacy, service, and helping others—values that continue to guide her work every day.