One in Nine People Who Have Carrier Screening Before Having Children Learn about Their Own Health Risks, Study Shows

10.20.2023

CHICAGO – Oct. 20, 2023 – People undergo genetic testing to determine if they may pass a genetic condition to their future children. In doing so, one in nine may also learn they have a gene that raises their own risk for a health issue, such as increased risk for cancer or an inflammatory disease, suggests research being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 42nd Annual Conference.

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Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship Winner Studying Use of Video to Extend Genetic Counseling Services to Hospitalized Patients

10.20.2023

CHICAGO – Oct. 20, 2023 – While many hospitalized patients would benefit from genetic counseling, there aren’t enough genetic counselors to provide pre- and post-testing guidance. New research being previewed at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 42nd Annual Conference will assess whether that shortage can be addressed by having patients watch pre-test genetic counseling videos that help them decide whether to move forward with genetic testing.

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BRCA1/2 Genetic Variants May Increase Risk for Other Cancers Besides Breast, Ovarian, Prostate and Pancreatic, Large Study Finds

10.19.2023

CHICAGO – Oct. 19, 2023 – People who test positive for BRCA1/2 genetic variants may be at risk for other types of cancer beyond those previously known, according to a study being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 42nd Annual Conference.

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Obstetricians Recognize Genetic Component to Preeclampsia, But Many Don’t Think Testing Would Change Treatment, Survey Shows African Americans More Likely to Suffer from Pregnancy Complication

10.18.2023

CHICAGO – Oct. 1, 2023 – All obstetricians (OBs) recognized that there is a genetic component to preeclampsia – a potentially deadly complication of pregnancy that affects many more pregnant people who identify as African American than those who identify as white – but only 60% believed the results of testing would change the treatment strategy, according to results of a survey being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 42nd Annual Conference.

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Most Young Ashkenazi Jewish People Unaware of Risk for BRCA 1/2 variant and Jewish Genetic Diseases Knowledge Scores Lower than a Decade Ago

10.18.2023

CHICAGO – Oct. 18, 2023 – The majority of young people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent know little or nothing about their risk for cancer-causing BRCA1/2 genetic variants and Jewish genetic diseases (JGD) such as Tay-Sachs disease – and they know less about them than they did a decade ago, according to results of a survey being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 42nd Annual Conference.

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White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Event – Clinical Genomics: Ending Diagnostic Odysseys & Enhancing Equity in Patient Care

12.5.2022

This online event took place on September 22, 2022, and was co-hosted by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). This 2-hour event explored uses of rapid genomic sequencing, yield of testing and showcased potential strategies and state models for facilitating insurance coverage and enabling equitable patient access. One of the sessions was moderated by NSGC Past President, Wendy Uhlmann, MS, LCGC and genetic counselors were recognized by multiple presenters.

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Study Gauges Success of Telephone vs. In-Person Genetic Counseling in Underserved Populations

11.19.2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nov. 19, 2022 – People from underserved populations are as likely to complete a visit with a genetic counselor in person as by telephone, suggests interim data from a study whose lead investigator was awarded a Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship (JEMF). The interim report is being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 41st Annual Conference.

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NSGC ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS BRIEFS

11.16.2022

Research Demonstrates Genetic Counselors’ Role in Patient Care

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nov. 16, 2022 – Genetic testing may help determine the most appropriate medication for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), electronic medical records can help decrease disparities in access to genetic testing, most people offered genetic testing at work are not familiar with discrimination protections and genetic counselors play a vital role in a national effort to build a diverse health database. These are among the research findings being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 41st Annual Conference.

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About Half of Autistic Adults Think Genetic Testing Shouldn’t be Performed

11.16.2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nov. 16, 2022 – Autistic adults have serious concerns about genetic testing for the condition, with nearly half saying it shouldn’t be done at all, according to results of a survey being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 41st Annual Conference.

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Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Embryos Skyrocketing, Study Finds Suggests Growth Related to Increase in Genetic Testing Overall

11.16.2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nov. 16, 2022 – The use of preimplantation genetic testing as a part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has skyrocketed, and is likely linked to the increased use of carrier screening and other forms of genetic testing, suggests a study being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 41st Annual Conference.

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