Managing Carriers of Moderate Cancer Predisposition Genes in 2018 with Judy Garber, MD, MPH

In this presentation, we will review the genes for which the associated cancer risks are in the moderate range. We will consider the types of data on which these risks are based, and the opportunities to contribute to increasing the data (PROMPT study). We will review also the data on which people have based recommendations for management, and the kinds of extrapolation we have all used, as well as the existing guidelines. We will focus primarily on breast and ovarian cancer risk, but other associated risks will be covered as well.

Judy E. Garber, M.D., M.P.H. | Presenter

Dr. Garber is the Director of the Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She conducts research in clinical cancer genetics, with a special focus in the genetics of breast cancer. She has played a major role in the development of national guidelines in cancer genetics. Dr. Garber is also a leader in research into the characteristics and treatment of triple negative or basal-like breast cancer, the most common form in women with BRCA1 mutations. Her translational research focuses on the evaluation of novel agents targeting DNA repair defects in breast cancer, including PARP inhibitors for treatment and prevention of breast cancer and other BRCA-associated cancers.

Dr. Garber is a past president and current member of the Foundation Board of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). She serves on the National Cancer Advisory Board of the National Cancer Institute and was elected into the National Academy of Medicine in 2013. She also serves as the Chair of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) Scientific Advisory Board. She is an ASCO Statesman and a Fellow of the AACR Academy.

Emily Dalton, MS, CGC | Moderator

Emily earned a BA in Cell and Molecular Biology from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. She then attended the Boston University School of Medicine Genetic Counseling program, where she earned her Master’s in Genetic Counseling. She is a current member of the BU Program Advisory Board, and has also stayed involved with the BUGC Program through course coordination, guest lecturing, and student capstone involvement. Soon after graduating, Emily started her position as a cancer genetic counselor at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, where she had both clinical and research responsibilities. She joined Ambry Genetics in 2013 as an Oncology Genetic Specialist, and is currently the Director of the Genetic Specialist team.