DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast - #311 Cancer Mock Genetic Counseling Session

#311 Cancer Mock Genetic Counseling Session

10/18/24 • 35 min

We're excited to announce the launch of our new Mock Genetic Counseling Session series! In our first installment, genetic counselor Catherine Mayo and student Ariel Modeste perform a mock cancer genetic counseling session, offering insight into how genetic testing for cancer risks is discussed with patients. This session was recorded in person, providing a more dynamic and engaging learning experience therefore, we highly recommend watching it on YouTube to fully immerse yourself in the interaction.

We hope this series is helpful for prospective and current genetic counseling students, as well as the general public, by demystifying the genetic counseling process. Understanding how these sessions work can empower individuals and provide valuable educational insights into this critical healthcare service.

Catherine Mayo (she/her), is a Genomic Science Liaison at a genetic testing company. She is a board-certified genetic counselor interested in rare diseases, increased access to genetics services, and social justice in healthcare. She has previous experience in biotechnology and drug development in the Bay Area.

Check out Catherine’s two other appearances on DNA Today. In Episode #110 we chatted about the film Gattaca, mostly how much technology in the film is no longer fiction. We recorded this when we were roommates in grad school together and are members of Sarah Lawrence’s Class of 2020. Catherine more recently shared insight in Episode #259, which was a recap and reflection on the 2023 National Society of Genetic Counselors’ (NSGC) Annual Conference.

Ariel Modeste (she/her) is currently in her second and final year in the Human Genetics Program at Sarah Lawrence College training to be a genetic counselor. Ariel is a graduate of LaGrange College with a B.S. in Biology and a double minor in psychological science and chemistry. The premise of this mock case was Ariel’s work as part of her internship with DNA Today.

Specialty: Cancer

Indication: A 26-year-old unaffected female is seen due to a family history of cancer.

Patient Name: Estelle Woods

Outline:

Contracting
- Introduction to each other
- Why were they referred to genetic counseling?
- Explain what the session will entail
- Ask if patient has any questions
Medical Intake
Family History
- Take a pedigree
Patient Education
- The purpose of all the questions that were asked
- Genetics overview
- Hereditary cancer risk factors and signs
Risk Assessment
- Review the patient’s pedigree and explain what is suspicious and what isn’t and why.
- What you would test for in the patient
- Who the best person in the family is to be tested
Decision Making
- Explain genetic testing
- Explain the 3 possible results
- Explain what each result would mean for the individual and their family members
- Ask patient if they would like to pursue the genetic testing
Insurance and cost
- NCCN criteria
- Potential insurance coverage
- Cash option without insurance
- GINA
Consenting
- Signing consent forms
Results
- Turn around time
- How results are provided
Recap information and final questions

Stay tuned for the continuation of our mock genetic counseling session series! Over the next year we will be bringing you more mock sessions inspired by a cumulation of cases.

Please note that the information provided in this mock genetic counseling session is intended strictly for educational purposes and should not be used for personal medical decision-making. If you have questions or concerns about your health, we encourage you to consult directly with a certified genetic counselor who can provide tailored medical recommendations. If you are in the United States, you can find a genetic counselor near you by visiting FindAGeneticCounselor.com.

The next new episode of DNA Today will drop on Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player...

Specialty: Cancer

Indication: A 26-year-old unaffected female is seen due to a family history of cancer.

Patient Name: Estelle Woods

Outline:

Contracting
- Introduction to each other
- Why were they referred to genetic counseling?
- Explain what the session will entail
- Ask if patient has any questions
Medical Intake
Family History
- Take a pedigree
Patient Education
- The purpose of all the questions that were asked
- Genetics overview
- Hereditary cancer risk factors and signs
Risk Assessment
- Review the patient’s pedigree and explain what is suspicious and what isn’t and why.
- What you would test for in the patient
- Who the best person in the family is to be tested
Decision Making
- Explain genetic testing
- Explain the 3 possible results
- Explain what each result would mean for the individual and their family members
- Ask patient if they would like to pursue the genetic testing
Insurance and cost
- NCCN criteria
- Potential insurance coverage
- Cash option without insurance
- GINA
Consenting
- Signing consent forms
Results
- Turn around time
- How results are provided
Recap information and final questions

Stay tuned for the continuation of our mock genetic counseling session series! Over the next year we will be bringing you more mock sessions inspired by a cumulation of cases.

Previous Episode

#310 Father Founded: DNA Reuniting Amerasians with Their American Bio Fathers

We explore the powerful work of Father Founded, an organization dedicated to reuniting Amerasian families separated by war. It shares the heartwarming story of Scott McMullen, a retired firefighter and veteran, who discovered his long-lost daughter through the group's efforts. Marny Klump, a dedicated volunteer, uses her skills in genetic genealogy to help Amerasians locate their biological fathers across continents.

I do want to offer a warning that our conversation includes sensitive topics like young adult death, sexual assault, and childhood abuse. These topics may not be suitable for children or people who have had these experiences themselves.

Scott's journey involves fathering a son in the Philippines, marrying the mother to bring him to the U.S., and later learning he had another child in the Philippines and connecting with his daughter Sherlyn, who was adopted and raised in another country. Despite challenges, Scott and Sherilyn have formed a close bond, united by their shared Amerasian experience. Scott Mcmullen is a father of 6, who retired in 2020 after 40 years as a Firefighter/EMT. He served 26 years in The Air Force Reserves as a Firefighter. He was elected to and served eight years on the Mount Vernon Washington city Council. He then recruited and helped the first three Hispanic people get elected to the Mount Vernon, Washington City Council. I thought it was unfair to have no Hispanic representation when his city’s population was 36% Hispanic. He and his brother flew to the Philippines to meet his biological daughter and her family. He lives part time in Angeles city, Philippines and was honored to have attended his grandchild's wedding!

Marny Klump, a Father Founded volunteer, shares how she became involved in reuniting families through genealogy and DNA testing, driven by the belief that everyone has the right to know their origins. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accessing biological family history and the challenges faced in the process. Marny was born in Toronto, Canada and moved to the United States when she was 16. She and her family currently live outside of Richmond, Virginia. Marny started doing her husband’s family tree in 2014. In early 2016, she started working with a group to help people put the pieces of their puzzles together. In August 2016, she learned how to use DNA to help those with misattributed parentage locate their biological family members. In April 2020, one of those cases led her to Father Founded, where she has been volunteering to help Amerasians with their quest to know their birth fathers.

You can learn more about Father Founded on their website here and donate here.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our social media lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC.

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Next Episode

#312 What is a Genome Health Analyst? Exploring NYU and Sarah Lawrence's New Master’s Program

We are learning about an exciting, newer career in the genomics field: genome health analyst. This role is rapidly gaining importance as the demand for interpreting personal genomic data continues to grow, and healthcare systems need more professionals trained to make this data clinically actionable.

Joining us are Dr. Claire Davis and Anna Cantor, Co-Directors of the new Master's of Science in Genome Health Analysis program, which is a collaboration between NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Sarah Lawrence College.

Claire Davis has worked with the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College for nine years in various capacities. She is now Director of Curriculum for the genetic counseling program and the Institute for Genomics, as well as co-director of the Genome Health Analysis master's program created in collaboration with NYU Langone's School of Medicine. Claire previously worked as a cancer counselor and assistant director of the genetic counseling training program at Mount Sinai. She earned her doctorate in adult education and leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, completing a dissertation on the professional learning of genetic counselors. She continues to volunteer for initiatives related to genetic counselors' learning and development.

Anna Cantor is the Program Director of Genetics Education at the Center for Human Genetics and Genomics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and co-director of the Genome Health Analysis Master’s program.. She is a board-certified genetic counselor with clinical experience in cancer and autoinflammatory genetics. . Throughout her career, Anna has trained genetic counseling students and is now creating education initiatives for graduate and medical students, as well as healthcare professionals that aim to increase access to accurate genetics information throughout NYU Langone Health. Anna received her MS in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College and her MA in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She completed her BA Hons in Psychology from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

What motivated the creation of the MS in Genome Health Analysis program
Career opportunities for graduates in healthcare and genomics
The integration of bioinformatics, data science, and patient care in the role of a genome health analyst
How the collaboration between NYU and Sarah Lawrence College shapes the curriculum
Key courses that prepare students for real-world applications
Handling and interpreting vast amounts of genomic data
The significance of emerging ‘omics technologies and genome variant interpretation
Application tips for prospective students, including types of experiences to prepare them

Going to be at ASHG 2024? Come find Anna Cantor on November 7th with her poster from 2:30-4:30pmMT! Our host Kira Dineen will also be at the conference. So be sure to say hi if you see her. And she is recording sound bites on what you learned at the conference.

You can learn more about the Master's of Science in Genome Health Analysis program here. You can contact Anna Cantor directly at [email protected] and Dr. Claire Davis at [email protected].

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook,