#175 Hereditary Cancer Variant Network with Brian Shirts

This week we’re joined by Dr. Brian Shirts to discuss ConnectMyVariant, a service that dedicated to helping patients and families understand unique genetic variants and provides different avenues of informing family, or even people distantly related, of possible inherited risk of diseases like cancer. Dr. Shirts is an Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Washington. His research focuses on integrating complex genetics knowledge into clinical care. His main goal is to help prevent all hereditary cancer. He is currently working to improve strategies to help people with inherited cancer risk connect with close and distant relatives, classify rare variants, and to improve how genetic information is presented to both patients and clinicians. In his clinical role, he is one of a small group of geneticists and laboratory pathologists who supervise BROCA and ColoSeqTM tests for hereditary cancer risk at the University of Washington. On This Episode We Discuss: Common cancer genes The importance of sharing genetic test results with family members What should people consider before posting their variant online and how GINA protects them The inspiration behind creating “Connect My Variant” Why it is helpful to connect with people who have the same variant How genetic counselors and other healthcare providers can share “Connect My Variant” with their patients To connect with other individuals with the same mutations, visit the Connect My Variant message board, and to learn more about cancer genes visit The American Cancer Society and Black Cancer Genes (featured on Episode #159 of DNA Today). Check out Heather Hample’s article Dr. Shirts mentioned about families in Ohio with Lynch syndrome. Keep up to date with Connect My Variant on Facebook and Instagram and connect with our guest Dr. Shirts on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on March 18, 2022! New episodes are released on the first and third Friday of the month. In the meantime, you can binge over 175 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. All episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel. See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNApodcast.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. Curious to take a peek inside your body's drug response? Then you should check out Picture Genetics’ PGx Test. Powered by clinical laboratory Fulgent Genetics, Picture’s PGx Test is easy to order and understand, with hassle-free clinician involvement and good looking reports! Plus you are fully supported through live chats, emails and genetic counseling. To order your Picture PGx test kit use code “DNATODAY” for 25% off and free-shipping! Get actionable genetic insights today to benefit your health tomorrow. Check out Picture Genetics’ interview about pharmacogenomics with their Director of Genetic Counseling, Gregory Kellogg on episode #174 of DNA Today! (SPONSORED) PerkinElmer Genomics is a global leader in genetic testing focusing on rare diseases, inherited disorders, newborn screening, and hereditary cancer. Testing services support the full continuum of care from preconception and prenatal to neonatal, pediatric, and adult. Testing options include sequencing for targeted genes, multiple genes, the whole exome or genome, and copy number variations. Using a simple saliva or blood sample, PerkinElmer Genomics answers complex genetic questions that can proactively inform patient care and end the diagnostic odyssey for families. Learn more at PerkinElmerGenomics.com. (SPONSORED) Today I want to recommend a podcast to you called Our Opinions Are Correct hosted by Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz.Every other week, Our Opinions Are Correct dissects a different topic related to science fiction, science, and everything in between. They've talked about everything from how to write a good fight scene, to the death of the universe. Charlie Jane Anders is an award winning author of several science fiction novels, including recently released Victories Greater than Death. Annalee Newitz is an award winning science journalist who writes for The New York Times and the Atlantic. Together, they will befriend cosmic monsters! Subscribe to Our Opinions Are Correct on Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts! (SPONSORED)