Demystifying Genetics

Pioneering Genetics in Ghana: A Groundbreaking Journey. Demystifying Genetics with Ahmed-Sherrif Kanvela Yussif

This episode of the "Demystifying Genetics" podcast features an insightful conversation with Ahmed-Sherrif Kanvela Yussif, one of the first genetic counsellors in Ghana. Host Matt Burgess delves into Ahmed's pioneering journey, exploring the role of genetic counseling in Ghana's healthcare system and its impact on public health, particularly regarding sickle cell disease. Ahmed shares his inspiring transition from teaching to genetic counseling and discusses the cultural and religious dynamics influencing healthcare decisions in West Africa. Despite connectivity challenges, this episode offers a rich perspective on the evolving landscape of genetics in developing countries.

Genetic Counseling Unwrapped: A Deep Dive. Demystifying Genetics with Jaime Jessen-Brown

Join host Matt, a seasoned genetic counselor, as he delves into the evolving world of clinical genetics in the latest episode of Demystifying Genetics. With guest Jaime Jessen-Brown, a genetic counselor based in Toronto, Canada, this podcast episode explores their shared journey from studying in Newcastle, Australia, to Jaime's diverse career path.
Jaime shares insights from her experience transitioning from a prenatal clinic to a Medical Science Liaison role, discussing the challenges and advancements in somatic genetic testing and the integration of genetics into oncology. They reflect on the growing understanding of hereditary cancer syndromes and the ever-expanding role of genetic counselors in precision medicine.
In a candid discussion, Matt and Jaime talk about the importance of active listening, the impact of informed patient education, and the ongoing struggle with burnout in the field. Jaime also highlights the significance of mentorship and advocacy in the evolving landscape of genetics and the implications of advancements in technology on the profession.
Tune in for an enlightening conversation that unravels the intricacies of genetic counseling, offering a deeper understanding of the vital role genetic counselors play in modern medicine.

Unraveling Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) in Genetics. Demystifying Genetics with Kylie Morgan

Join Matt Burgess in this episode of Demystifying Genetics as he sits down with Dr. Kylie Morgan, a genetic counsellor from Melbourne, to explore the emerging field of polygenic risk scores. Discover how this new form of genetic testing is shaping clinical practices in both Australia and the United States.
Learn about the personal experiences of genetic counsellors, Matt and Kylie, as they discuss the intricacies of genetic testing and the evolving landscape of genetic counseling. They share anecdotes about their own dogs' quarantine experiences, drawing parallels to their professional lives.
The conversation delves into the challenges faced by genetic counsellors in Australia, including the lack of national guidelines and the importance of personalized patient care. Matt and Kylie also touch on their role in shaping equitable healthcare and the advancements in genetic testing technologies.

How Genetic Counseling Is Evolving Beyond Hospital Walls. Demystifying Genetics with Lauren Giannetti Sferrazza

Lauren Giannetti-Sferrazza, a genetic counselor from New Jersey, shares her journey transitioning from clinical practice to industry and discusses the evolution of genetic counseling roles. Throughout the conversation, she offers insights into balancing professional responsibilities and personal experience as a pregnant genetic counselor preparing for childbirth.• Clinical burnout as a catalyst for moving to industry positions• Shifting perceptions of industry roles from "the dark side" to valuable career paths• Potential for broader patient impact through industry versus direct clinical care• Balance between job security in public health versus higher compensation in industry• Implementing gender-inclusive care in genetic testing companies• Evolution of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and the rise of "gender reveal" culture• Point-of-care genetic testing models in cancer care• Need for genetic counselors to support clinician-ordered testing• Balancing ideal practices with practical realities in genetic healthcare delivery
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Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGenehttps://www.trakgene.com/

Beyond Genes: Can We Truly Measure the Impact of Genetic Counselling? Demystifying Genetics with Marion McAllister

Professor Marion McAllister shares the fascinating journey of developing the Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale, a groundbreaking tool that measures patient empowerment rather than just anxiety reduction. We explore how this simple questionnaire transformed genetic counselling assessment worldwide and evolved to meet changing healthcare needs.• Creating the first standardised measure for genetic counselling outcomes based on patient-reported benefits• Translating the scale across cultures and navigating challenging concepts like the English word "condition"• Developing the shorter Genomics Outcome Scale for economic evaluations and mainstreamed genetic testing• Evolution of genetic counselling education from traditional face-to-face to blended e-learning formats• Exploring how AI could complement genetic counselling by handling routine tasks• Balancing qualitative and quantitative research methods when developing healthcare assessment tools• Reflecting on research into gender differences in genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromesJoin me for future episodes of Demystifying Genetics as we continue exploring the human side of genetics and genomics.
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Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGenehttps://www.trakgene.com/

What Happens When You Become Your Own Boss in Genetic Counseling? Demystifying Genetics with Scott Weissman.

Scott Weissman shares his journey of building a telehealth genetic counseling private practice, discussing the challenges of insurance contracts, licensing across states, and adapting to technological changes in cancer genetics.• Opened private practice in 2016 as a side business, now seeing 15-20 patients weekly• Despite having licenses in 25-26 states, establishing insurance contracts remains a major obstacle• Pivoted to 100% telehealth during the pandemic, offering after-hours and weekend appointments• Medicare recognition would be a game-changer for private practice genetic counselors in the US• Excited about emerging technologies like long-range sequencing that could "fill in the gaps" for what we've been missing• Works with the Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics providing education and carrier screening• Carrier screening has evolved from testing for 6 conditions to 267 conditions over two decades• Once gave Dr. Henry Lynch (namesake of Lynch syndrome) a "very small manicure" by cutting off his hangnail
Support the show
Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGenehttps://www.trakgene.com/

Resilience After Redundancy: A Genetic Counsellor’s Journey; Demystifying Genetics with Angela Arnold Ross

Matt sits down with Angela Arnold-Ross, an Australian genetic counsellor living in New Jersey, for a candid and heartfelt conversation about professional resilience and personal growth in the field of genetic counselling.• Sharing the experience of being laid off after 15 years and the emotional impact of unexpected job loss• The stages of grief following a career disruption and how writing became therapeutic• Using networking to rebuild a career path through connections with other genetic counsellors• Navigating the complex landscape of genetic counsellor licensure across different states in America• How the Cures Act has changed counselling approaches when patients receive results immediately• Personal health experiences transforming professional counselling styles and enhancing patient empathy• The importance of advocating for patients and teaching them to navigate complex healthcare systems• Why accurate medical terminology matters for effective patient communication and appropriate care
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Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGenehttps://www.trakgene.com/

Inherited Hearts and Healing Minds: A Cardiac GC’s Journey. Demystifying Genetics with Laura Yeates

Dr. Laura Yeates shares her journey as a cardiac genetic counsellor specialising in inherited heart diseases and supporting families affected by sudden cardiac death. We explore her recent PhD research on developing support interventions for these families and discuss the importance of wellbeing for genetic counselling professionals.• Cardiac genetic counselling focuses on inherited cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias• Dr. Yeates completed her PhD during COVID, developing support interventions for families affected by sudden cardiac death• Genetic counsellors need a personalised "self-care toolkit" that evolves throughout their career• The importance of multidisciplinary team meetings where genetic counsellors provide valuable expertise• "Mainstreaming" works best when genetic counsellors are embedded within specialty departments• Being called "stat" to map a complex family tree validated the unique skills genetic counsellors bring to healthcare teams• Certification is challenging but valuable, making genetic counsellors more reflective practitioners• The profession requires continuous learning as "the technology we'll be using in 10 years hasn't been invented yet"
Support the show
Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGenehttps://www.trakgene.com/

From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Sarah Powell on Inherited Cancer and BRCA1. Demystifying Genetics with Sarah Powell

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 proceduresIf 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.
Support the show
Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGenehttps://www.trakgene.com/

Beyond BRCA: Bringing Polygenic Risk into Primary Care. Demystifying Genetics with Sibel Saya

Dr. Matt Burgess interviews genetic counsellor and researcher Dr. Sibel Saya about integrating genetic testing into primary healthcare settings, focusing on polygenic risk scores as a tool for personalizing cancer screening.• Genetic counselling principles applied in primary care settings rather than just specialist clinics• Polygenic risk scores differ from traditional genetic tests by analyzing hundreds of common variants with small individual effects• Australia and New Zealand have the highest bowel cancer rates globally, making early detection tools particularly important• Tools like CRISP help assess individual bowel cancer risk using lifestyle factors combined with genetic information• Cultural differences must be considered when implementing genetic testing in diverse communities• GPs see genetic risk assessment as within their scope despite time constraints• Risk information alone doesn't change behaviour – it's the opportunity to discuss screening that matters• Implementation research happening alongside efficacy trials to speed translation into practice• Stratified screening approaches could be widely available within 5-10 yearsIf you'd like to learn more about polygenic risk scores or risk-stratified cancer screening, visit our website or subscribe to Demystifying Genetics for future episodes on these topics.
Support the show
Demystifying Genetics is sponsored by TrakGenehttps://www.trakgene.com/