Speaker Summaries (2024)
Monthly Meeting: Jan 3, 2024
Speaker: Kathy Wiedemer, Promise Registry
Topic: Your Genes, Prostate Cancer and The Promise Registry
If you don't like to read, you can skip the write-up and scroll down to the link and watch the video.
We had three representatives from the PROMISE Study, Kathy Wiedemer, MBA, Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement, Christina Tran, MPH, Project Manager, and Natalie Macario, Project Associate, present to our group on January 4 via Zoom. The presentation was entitled Your Genes, Prostate Cancer, and The Promise Registry. PROMISE is a registry of prostate cancer patients participating in a research study to learn how genetic differences can affect patient outcomes. Twenty-two people attended in the audience and 17 people attended the Zoom. The PROMISE research study is led by Dr. Heather Cheng at the University of Washington and Dr. Channing Paller at Johns Hopkins University.
The speakers presented a short video featuring Justin Lorentz, M.Sc. Genetic Counselor. He 1) explained the relationship of genes, DNA, and chromosomes;2) showed that cancer is caused by multiple mutations of genes over a period of time; 3) presented a slide that showed the majority of Prostate Cancers (PCa) is acquired with 10% of the cancers being inherited; and 4) presented a slide showing the how genetic testing relates to one's cancer journey.
A short video with Dr. Heather Chang speaking came next. PCa treatment is currently primarily a "one size fits all" approach. After either surgery or radiation treatment is not really tailored for the patient to the extent Chang feels is possible. The landscape is changing, but not fast enough. The idea is that if the medical community can understand genetics better, the community can better tailor treatments and understand which treatments work well, which treatments have no effect and which treatments have adverse effects. Promise is attempting to provide genetic information from a multitude of sources which will help lead to better treatments.
The next video was a case study. The cancer patient experienced a BRCA2 mutation. That information led to having his two adult daughters tested, and one showed a BRCA2 mutation in her breasts. She embarked upon a monitoring program which she would not have done had it not been for the information regarding the mutation. This person felt that the tests allowed her to have better control of her situation.
Via video, Dr. Channing Paller talked about the details of the Promise Study. What it is, what its goals are and what the future holds.
Kathy Wiedemer then explained who can participate in the Prostate Study. Men in the United States, over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with PCa. The test is free, and the information is confidential. Participants receive a test kit instructing them to swab their cheeks and return the swabbed tip. Results are received in a couple of weeks. Genetic counseling is available. Currently approximately 3,800 men have participated with approximately 10% showing an inherited mutation. You can register at the Promise website: https://www.prostatecancerpromise.org/ Kathy also talked about the role of genetic counselors. They explain and simplify genetic concepts, answer questions, and help the patient understand DNA results. This understanding helps empower the patient to make informed choices about his health, his family's health, and his treatment.
Christina Tran and Natalie Macario then handled the Q&A portion of the presentation. I am not going to make any comments regarding the Q&A. You can view the Q&A on the link to the video that follows. You must enter the passcode 13H&f$Up to view the video
Your Genes, Prostate Cancer and The Promise Study
Fred Barone
[email protected]
Speaker: Kathy Wiedemer, Promise Registry
Topic: Your Genes, Prostate Cancer and The Promise Registry
If you don't like to read, you can skip the write-up and scroll down to the link and watch the video.
We had three representatives from the PROMISE Study, Kathy Wiedemer, MBA, Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement, Christina Tran, MPH, Project Manager, and Natalie Macario, Project Associate, present to our group on January 4 via Zoom. The presentation was entitled Your Genes, Prostate Cancer, and The Promise Registry. PROMISE is a registry of prostate cancer patients participating in a research study to learn how genetic differences can affect patient outcomes. Twenty-two people attended in the audience and 17 people attended the Zoom. The PROMISE research study is led by Dr. Heather Cheng at the University of Washington and Dr. Channing Paller at Johns Hopkins University.
The speakers presented a short video featuring Justin Lorentz, M.Sc. Genetic Counselor. He 1) explained the relationship of genes, DNA, and chromosomes;2) showed that cancer is caused by multiple mutations of genes over a period of time; 3) presented a slide that showed the majority of Prostate Cancers (PCa) is acquired with 10% of the cancers being inherited; and 4) presented a slide showing the how genetic testing relates to one's cancer journey.
A short video with Dr. Heather Chang speaking came next. PCa treatment is currently primarily a "one size fits all" approach. After either surgery or radiation treatment is not really tailored for the patient to the extent Chang feels is possible. The landscape is changing, but not fast enough. The idea is that if the medical community can understand genetics better, the community can better tailor treatments and understand which treatments work well, which treatments have no effect and which treatments have adverse effects. Promise is attempting to provide genetic information from a multitude of sources which will help lead to better treatments.
The next video was a case study. The cancer patient experienced a BRCA2 mutation. That information led to having his two adult daughters tested, and one showed a BRCA2 mutation in her breasts. She embarked upon a monitoring program which she would not have done had it not been for the information regarding the mutation. This person felt that the tests allowed her to have better control of her situation.
Via video, Dr. Channing Paller talked about the details of the Promise Study. What it is, what its goals are and what the future holds.
Kathy Wiedemer then explained who can participate in the Prostate Study. Men in the United States, over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with PCa. The test is free, and the information is confidential. Participants receive a test kit instructing them to swab their cheeks and return the swabbed tip. Results are received in a couple of weeks. Genetic counseling is available. Currently approximately 3,800 men have participated with approximately 10% showing an inherited mutation. You can register at the Promise website: https://www.prostatecancerpromise.org/ Kathy also talked about the role of genetic counselors. They explain and simplify genetic concepts, answer questions, and help the patient understand DNA results. This understanding helps empower the patient to make informed choices about his health, his family's health, and his treatment.
Christina Tran and Natalie Macario then handled the Q&A portion of the presentation. I am not going to make any comments regarding the Q&A. You can view the Q&A on the link to the video that follows. You must enter the passcode 13H&f$Up to view the video
Your Genes, Prostate Cancer and The Promise Study
Fred Barone
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The Villages Prostate Group does not recommend or endorse the speakers, publications or descriptions of publications. They are simply provided as additional resources for your information.