Genetic counselors are essential healthcare professionals, expertly decoding complex genetic information and guiding patients through life-altering medical decisions. They translate the language of our genomes into understandable insights, helping families navigate hereditary risks and personalize treatment plans.

But the role extends far beyond the science. GCs are trained to deliver difficult news with empathy, providing psychosocial support during traumatic healthcare discoveries.

In this episode, Rome speaks with Kate Wilson, licensed genetic counselor, host of the All Access DNA podcast, and genetics professor at Emory University. She illuminates the demanding dual role of genetic counselors – interpreting genetic variations while navigating the emotional fallout for patients and families. We discuss the challenges GCs face due to a lack of Medicare recognition and fair reimbursement.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the unique skillset of genetic counselors (GCs): expertise in genetics and psychosocial support.
• Learn how GCs guide patients through complex genetic test results and potential health implications.
• Explore the challenges GCs face due to lack of Medicare recognition and fair reimbursement.
• Discover how this lack of recognition impacts patient access to crucial genetic services and disease prevention.

In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the often-overlooked crisis of financial toxicity in the world of breast cancer. Molly MacDonald, the inspiring founder and CEO of The Pink Fund, an organization providing critical cancer financial support for non-medical expenses to breast cancer patients in active treatment. Molly paints a vivid picture of how financial toxicity creates a ripple effect, impacting not only a patient's ability to afford treatment, but also their mental health, family stability, and overall quality of life.

Learn more about The Pink Fund and help them build a financial bridge for families in need.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by breast cancer, healthcare professionals, and those seeking to understand the systemic challenges faced by cancer patients. We explore the innovative partnerships The Pink Fund has forged with major corporations like Ford and CVS, and discuss how these collaborations amplify their reach and impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Financial toxicity is a significant and often overlooked side effect of cancer, impacting a patient's ability to afford treatment and maintain their quality of life.
• The Pink Fund provides crucial cancer financial support by covering non-medical expenses for breast cancer patients, helping them avoid financial ruin and focus on healing.
• Early screening for financial concerns and access to financial navigators are essential for identifying and addressing the financial challenges faced by cancer patients.
• Corporate partnerships play a vital role in expanding the reach and impact of organizations like The Pink Fund, enabling them to provide broader cancer financial support.
• Individuals can make a difference by supporting organizations like The Pink Fund, advocating for policy changes, and raising awareness about the impact of financial toxicity on cancer patients and their families.

Thank you for tuning into GENETICS FOR HEALTH CARE . . . A podcast dedicated to helping patients and their caregivers advocate for a precision medicine approach to treatment, disease screening and prevention. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube LinkedIn Facebook and Instagram….soon on TikTok! Please hit that SUBCRIBE button on YouTube to get alerts and updates on new episodes like this one! Jemma Sutton, 2x breast cancer survivor and patient advocate Emersed herself in the world of genetics & genomics Share her story and Some people have to fight for access to biomarker testing or genetic & genomic testing….…………..some have to fight for access to certain therapies. You had to fight to be diagnosed with breast cancer [young age, not in screening guidelines] Told to come back in 6mo Self funded 🡺 4 MRI, bloodwork, 4 ultrasounds, xray, mammo Cat led to diagnosis Tell us about your experience and how you eventually were diagnosed with breast cancer. BC subtype? 🡪 luminal A Stage / Grade Treatment recommendations? Were you offered hereditary cancer testing? In the UK, routine screening recommendations start at age 50. In the US, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer begin screening with mammograms every two years at age 40 and continue until age 74. You’ve been vocal about changing those screening guidelines. Why start screenings at age 40? 21% of new breast cancers diagnosed before age 50 Globally, cases of women diagnosed with BC befor age 50 has increased by 80% over last 30yrs Sign the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700062 Diagnosed at a young age, then about 2yrs later your care team notified you of…. What went through your mind when you got that call? What did you do differently in your approach to care? Genetic testing? Upwards of 10% of cancer due to hereditary mutations – CHK2 tumor suppressor gene According to a June 2023 study published in Scientific Advances by lead author Elena Orpeza You can also find this study on BreastCancer.org “Research suggests that a CHEK2 mutation can nearly double the risk of breast cancer. Although not as common as a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, CHEK2 mutations have been found in up to 1.6% of the general population and in 2% to 3% of women diagnosed with breast cancer.” More likely to be Dx with Hormone + / HER-2 negative BC in pre-menopausal women Ave age Dx w/CHEK2 – 46 Ave age w/out CHEK2 – 58 More likely to be resistant to hormonal Tx, than in pre-menopausal women w/out CHEK2 I connected with you on LinkedIn and got to know your story. LinkedIn is a social medial platform mostly used for business networking. More likely to find posts of this sort on Facebook where people may have a closer personal network. Why post on LinkedIn? On a video on WorkingwithCancer.co.uk More people afraid of losing their job, than losing their life. 50% of people will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-medical-funds-for-jemma?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Eric Williams, a husband, father, and pharmaceutical sales leader, shares his powerful and deeply personal journey with prostate cancer. He details the critical red flags, including an elevated PSA level, and emphasizes the life-saving importance of self-advocacy and pushing for further testing when something doesn't feel right. Eric opens up about his Unsignificant family history of cancer and the pivotal moment he was educated on the need for genetic counseling, a step he then ensured his daughters took.

Eric recounts how he and his wife made a conscious choice to fight with courage, transforming his diagnosis from a source of fear into an opportunity to be a light for others in the oncology waiting room. His story of creating "Team E" and connecting with strangers highlights the human connection at the heart of healing and how suffering can be a gift to those around you.

Tune in for essential advice on prostate cancer awareness, the necessity of knowing your family history, and pushing for early detection. Eric’s message is a crucial resource for black men's health, stressing that self-advocacy is not optional and that your faith can be your strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-advocacy is non-negotiable: Be proactive, ask questions, and push for answers if something feels wrong.
• Know your family history: Understanding genetic predispositions is crucial for early detection and screening.
• Early detection saves lives: Do not avoid PSA tests or screenings; know your numbers.
• Faith can be a foundational weapon: A positive mindset and spiritual belief can provide immense strength during treatment.
• Your journey can help others: Sharing your experience creates community, breaks down stigmas, and offers hope.
• Genetic counseling is key: A family history of cancer may warrant genetic testing for you and your family members.

#ProstateCancer #MensHealth #BlackMensHealth #CancerSurvivor #Faith #Testimony #SelfAdvocacy #PSA #EarlyDetection #FamilyHistory #GeneticCounseling #CancerAwareness #Oncology #HealthEquity

This is GENETICS FOR HEALTHCARE—a podcast dedicated to helping patients and caregivers advocate for precision medicine in treatment, survivorship, disease screening, and prevention. #geneticsforhealthcare Genetics For Healthcare: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tvMOrd9RyHLdOEGFNWavq?si=18815af6d1fe4da0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeneticsForHealthcare Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneticsforhealthcare/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genetics.for.healthcare LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genetics-for-healthcare-podcast/

This is GENETICS FOR HEALTHCARE—a podcast dedicated to helping patients and caregivers advocate for precision medicine in treatment, survivorship, disease screening, and prevention. #geneticsforhealthcare Genetics For Healthcare: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tvMOrd9RyHLdOEGFNWavq?si=18815af6d1fe4da0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeneticsForHealthcare Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneticsforhealthcare/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genetics.for.healthcare LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genetics-for-healthcare-podcast/

This is GENETICS FOR HEALTHCARE—a podcast dedicated to helping patients and caregivers advocate for precision medicine in treatment, survivorship, disease screening, and prevention. #geneticsforhealthcare Genetics For Healthcare: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tvMOrd9RyHLdOEGFNWavq?si=18815af6d1fe4da0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeneticsForHealthcare Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneticsforhealthcare/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genetics.for.healthcare LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genetics-for-healthcare-podcast/

This is GENETICS FOR HEALTHCARE—a podcast dedicated to helping patients and caregivers advocate for precision medicine in treatment, survivorship, disease screening, and prevention. #geneticsforhealthcare Genetics For Healthcare: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tvMOrd9RyHLdOEGFNWavq?si=18815af6d1fe4da0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeneticsForHealthcare Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneticsforhealthcare/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genetics.for.healthcare LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genetics-for-healthcare-podcast/

This is GENETICS FOR HEALTHCARE—a podcast dedicated to helping patients and caregivers advocate for precision medicine in treatment, survivorship, disease screening, and prevention. #geneticsforhealthcare

Genetics For Healthcare:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tvMOrd9RyHLdOEGFNWavq?si=18815af6d1fe4da0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeneticsForHealthcare

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneticsforhealthcare/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genetics.for.healthcare

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genetics-for-healthcare-podcast/

#precisionmedicine #healthcare #cancer

This is GENETICS FOR HEALTHCARE—a podcast dedicated to helping patients and caregivers advocate for precision medicine in treatment, survivorship, disease screening, and prevention. #geneticsforhealthcare

Genetics For Healthcare:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tvMOrd9RyHLdOEGFNWavq?si=18815af6d1fe4da0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeneticsForHealthcare

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneticsforhealthcare/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genetics.for.healthcare

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genetics-for-healthcare-podcast/

#precisionmedicine #healthcare #cancer