In this episode, host Ananya Jain, CGC, is joined by Scarlett Shiloh, a patient advocate living with Lynch syndrome, and Melissa Levin, MSW, LICSW, a clinical social worker who leads the Neuro-Inclusive Oncology Care and Empowerment Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Drawing on lived and professional experience, the panel discusses the sensory, communication, and emotional barriers neurodivergent patients may encounter while navigating hereditary cancer care- from preparing for colonoscopies and managing changes to familiar or safe foods to processing complex information and coping with anxiety around appointments and procedures.

The conversation also offers practical guidance for health care professionals on providing more individualized and accessible care, including using clear instructions, preparing patients for what to expect, considering the full sensory environment, asking patients what support they need, and following up after appointments.

Whether neurodiversity-affirming care is already central to your practice or represents a newer area of learning, we welcome you to this conversation. We recognize that meaningful systems change takes time and collective effort, particularly within clinical environments where factors such as pace, lighting, and noise may be difficult to change. We appreciate every listener’s willingness to engage with this topic and the many clinicians already working to make care more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the individual needs of neurodivergent patients.

Listen to this powerful conversation and discover how thoughtful, practical changes can make hereditary cancer care more inclusive, supportive, and accessible for everyone.

Following the release of Version 1.2026 of the NCCN Guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Endometrial, Esophageal, and Gastric on June 16, 2026, the CGA-IGC Education Committee is pleased to present a special podcast episode exploring several of the key updates.

In this episode, host Josie Baker, MS, LGC, speaks with NCCN Guideline Panel chair  Samir Gupta, MD; and members Jennifer Weiss, MD, MS; and Rachel Hodan, MS, CGC about key updates in Version 1.2026 of the NCCN Guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Endometrial, Esophageal, and Gastric Cancer.

Together they discuss expanded multigene panel testing recommendations for individuals with colorectal, gastric, and endometrial cancers, including the Category 2B designation for colorectal and gastric cancers diagnosed at age 50 or older. They also address the evidence behind broader testing, access challenges, and the need for more flexible care pathways.

Additional topics include updated EPCAM-associated Lynch syndrome risks, limitations of salpingectomy alone for ovarian cancer risk reduction, the omission of PMS2 from the minimum gastric cancer panel, and the distinction between genetic evaluation and genetic testing for patients with multiple adenomas. The episode also introduces a new section on hereditary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

As Pride Month comes to a close, the CGA-IGC Education is pleased to present a special podcast episode focused on inclusive and affirming care for LGBTQIA+ patients in the hereditary GI cancer setting, offering GC and MD perspectives.

This episode is hosted byYing Liu, MD, MPH and features Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC, and Iris Romero, MD. 

Together they speak about practical considerations for genetic counseling, genetic testing, cancer risk assessment, screening, and risk-reducing care. The conversation highlights the importance of using patient-centered language, avoiding assumptions about anatomy, gender identity, family structure, partnerships, and reproductive goals, and recognizing how gender-affirming care may intersect with hereditary cancer prevention.

The episode also explores current gaps in data and clinical guidance, thoughtful documentation and privacy considerations, and ways providers can create safer, more affirming healthcare experiences for LGBTQIA+ patients and families.

Listen now to gain practical insights into delivering more equitable, inclusive, and patient-centered hereditary cancer care.

The CGA-IGC Education is pleased to present the third and final episode of a three-part series focused on Genetic Counselling and Religion.

This series offers a unique opportunity to understand how different faith communities view genetic counseling, and how you can work more effectively with patients and families from these backgrounds.  These insights are designed to support your daily practice, helping you provide more culturally aware, patient-centered care.

The third episode is hosted by Josie Baker MS, CGC, and features  Lindsey Walker, MS, LCGC,  a pediatric Genetic Counselor at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
 
 Together, they explore practical, respectful ways clinicians and genetic counselors can better support LDS patients and families when discussing genetic testing, hereditary cancer risk, and medical decision-making. Lindsey Walker shares helpful context on LDS beliefs and culture, including a strong emphasis on family, personal autonomy, faith, and health practices, as well as the community’s long-standing engagement with genealogy and family history, a connection that has also contributed to important advances in genetic research.  

The CGA-IGC Education is pleased to present the third and final episode of a three-part series focused on Genetic Counselling and Religion.

This series offers a unique opportunity to understand how different faith communities view genetic counseling, and how you can work more effectively with patients and families from these backgrounds.  These insights are designed to support your daily practice, helping you provide more culturally aware, patient-centered care.

The third episode is hosted by Josie Baker MS, CGC, and features  Lindsey Walker, MS, LCGC,  a pediatric Genetic Counselor at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Together, they explore practical, respectful ways clinicians and genetic counselors can better support LDS patients and families when discussing genetic testing, hereditary cancer risk, and medical decision-making. Lindsey Walker shares helpful context on LDS beliefs and culture, including a strong emphasis on family, personal autonomy, faith, and health practices, as well as the community’s long-standing engagement with genealogy and family history, a connection that has also contributed to important advances in genetic research.  

The CGA-IGC Education is pleased to present the second episode of a three-part series focused on Genetic Counselling and Religion.

This series offers a unique opportunity to understand how different faith communities view genetic counseling, and how you can work more effectively with patients and families from these backgrounds.  These insights are designed to support your daily practice, helping you provide more culturally aware, patient-centered care.

The second episode is hosted by Josie Baker MS, CGC, and features Shilpa Narayan, MS, CGC a Cancer Genetic Counselor at Stanford Health.

Together, they explore how healthcare, prevention, and medical decision-making are viewed within a diverse and family-centered community; common hesitations around genetic testing; and the impact of family, marriage, and privacy considerations. Shilpa Narayan also shares practical guidance for genetic counselors and GI providers on how to better support patients, emphasizing curiosity, listening to patient cues, balancing medical screening with lifestyle discussions, and avoiding assumptions. 

The CGA-IGC Education is pleased to present the first episode of a three-part series focused on Genetic Counselling and Religion.

This series offers a unique opportunity to understand how different faith communities view genetic counseling, and how you can work more effectively with patients and families from these backgrounds.  These insights are designed to support your daily practice, helping you provide more culturally aware, patient-centered care.

The first episode is hosted by Josie Baker MS, CGC, and features Natalie Richeimer MS, CGC, a Genetic Counselor and Education and Outreach Manager at JScreen.

They discuss cultural and religious considerations, the role of Halakha (Jewish law) and rabbinic guidance in medical decisions, and concerns around genetic testing, including its impact on marriage prospects. The episode offers practical insights for providers delivering culturally respectful, life-saving care.

This episode is hosted by Josie Baker, MS, LGC, and features Maegan Roberts, MS, LGC, a Genetic Counselor from the Ohio State University.

The in-depth discussions focus on CDH1 and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, covering the history of discovery, evolving penetrance estimates, and updated risk insights. They explore differences between IGCLC’s more conservative European approach and NCCN’s U.S.-focused guidelines, offering practical advice on which to follow. The conversation highlights the challenges of genetic counseling, including how to approach discussions with honesty and confidence. Megan Roberts also shares her perspective from her work with the ClinGen CDH1 Variant Curation Expert Panel, IGCLC, and the Ohio State University CDH1-Associated BCDS Registry.

Do you have a patient with a CDH1 variant and clinical features consistent with BCDS? The Ohio State University CDH1-Associated BCDS Registry is actively recruiting participants. This research initiative aims to better understand cancer risks and phenotypic characteristics associated with CDH1-related Blepharocheilodontic Syndrome (BCDS). Learn more HERE.

This episode is hosted by Emma Keel, MS, CGC, and features Ying Liu, MD, MPH, a Gynecologic Medical Oncologist & Clinical Geneticist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Nicole D. Edison, MD, Clinical Associate of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Chicago.

The in-depth discussion focuses on managing gynecologic cancer risk in patients with Lynch syndrome, spotlighting the significant updates to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines released in September 2024 that have shifted the clinical approach for these patients. 

In partnership, the CGA-IGC Education and Research Committees are pleased to present a three-part podcast series focused on research collaborations.

Emma Keel, MS, CCG spoke with Melyssa Aronson, MSc, CGC and Lucie Stengs, BSc, from the International Replication Repair Deficiency Consortium (IRRDC). 

This episode is essential listening for clinicians, researchers, and anyone interested in hereditary GI cancer syndromes research. Learn about this consortium's evolution from a local registry to an international collaboration studying rare genetic disorders, particularly CMMRD. It provides insights about the progress in developing diagnostic tools, establishing a biobank, and conducting research on potential treatments, including immunotherapy and vaccines. Also the challenges of managing the growing consortium, emphasized the importance of patient advocacy and international collaboration. 

If you have any questions or are interested in joining the consortium please contact or Melyssa Aronson ([email protected]) or Lucie Stengs ([email protected]).