Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Demystifying Genetics with Sarah Powell from Inherited Cancers Australia
Sarah Powell, CEO of Inherited Cancers Australia, shares her journey from triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis at age 29 to discovering her BRCA1 mutation and becoming a powerful advocate for others facing inherited cancer risk.
• Diagnosed with breast cancer at 29 with no family history, Sarah later discovered she carries a BRCA1 mutation connected to her Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
• After treatment, Sarah became involved with Pink Hope (now Inherited Cancers Australia) to find peer support from others who understood the unique challenges of genetic risk
• The "Angelina Jolie effect" dramatically increased awareness about BRCA mutations and genetic testing, helping many families understand their options
• Inherited Cancers Australia recently rebranded from Pink Hope to better include men in the conversation about genetic risk and reflect the wider range of cancers involved
• The recent recommendation to offer genetic testing to all women with breast cancer will identify many more families at risk, but raises concerns about healthcare system capacity
• Long waitlists for preventative surgeries remain a major challenge, with some women developing cancer while waiting for risk-reducing procedures
If you're concerned about your family history of cancer, visit InheritedCancers.org.au for support, information, and connection to others facing similar challenges.
This is a special episode for the 3rd Podcasthon.
Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGene
https://www.trakgene.com/