#238 Secondary Findings with Caralynn Wilczewski and Andrea Alvarez

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In this episode we are discussing secondary findings and a study exploring what they mean for the patients who receive them.

Joining us for this discussion is Caralynn Wilczewski who is a genetic counselor for the Reverse Phenotyping Core and the Genomic Services Research Program in the National Human Genome Research Institute in the National Institutes of Health. In her current role, she provides genetic counseling and coordinates clinical research that uses a genotype-first approach to advance the goal of predictive genomic medicine. She obtained her bachelor’s in Molecular Biology with Honors from Loyola University Chicago and her PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She then obtained a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from the joint program at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health. 

Also joining us is Andrea Alvarez, a participant in the Genomic Services Research Program. Andrea joined a genetic sequencing study at Morehouse College and received an unexpected genetic test result which Alvarez will discuss in this episode!

In this episode we are discussing secondary findings, and a study exploring what they mean for the patients who receive them. Stay tuned as we will have another secondary findings installment coming soon to DNA Today!

On This Episode We Discuss:

Population health studies and how they help us understand the role of genetics in disease risk and prevention

Secondary findings and how someone might receive one

Opting in/out regarding the reveal of secondary findings in population health studies

What happens after someone finds out they have one of these unexpected genetic risk factors

Andrea’s experience with receiving a surprising secondary finding and how it has impacted her life

Support and next steps for people after the receive a secondary finding

The Genomic Services Research Program’s study for patients with secondary findings and what it can offer to folks who participate

How we can ensure that population health studies related to genetics are conducted in a way that is inclusive and representative of diverse populations

If you’d like to learn more about secondary findings, check out the ACMG Recommendations for Reporting of Incidental Findings in Clinical Exome and Genome Sequencing and this news article! 

Join or refer a patient to the Genomic Services Research Program (GSRP) study on secondary findings by filling out this survey. More resources below! 

Secondary findings resources for listeners: Clinicians  

List of ACMG secondary findings genes 

ClinGen Actionability Knowledge Repository: Search by gene or condition for brief summaries of most secondary findings conditions and risks with recommendations for surveillance, management, and treatment. 

ACMG ACT sheets: Short summaries of a few secondary findings genes and conditions with instructions on next steps for clinicians whose patients receive one of these results. 

Secondary findings resources for listeners: Patients  

MedlinePlus Genetics: What are secondary findings from genetic testing?

MedlinePlus Genetics: Patient-friendly information abou