The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimated last year that around 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes. And since November is a time when we often get together with relatives, some of you may be wondering, “How worried should I be about Diabetes based on my family history?” This episode will help to answer some of those questions. In this episode, we invited Dr. Toni Pollin to share her thoughts. Dr. Pollin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition and in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Univer ..read more

According to the American Cancer Society, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.  In fact, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. (ACS) What factors increase my risk for prostate cancer? Family history? What can I do? In this episode, we invited Joy Larsen Haidle, a board-certified genetic counselor, to share her thoughts. Joy is leader in cancer genetic counseling who has authored several practice guidelines and published articles on topics such as Lynch syndrome, a disease that increases one’s risk for cancers, part ..read more

With areas opening back up across the country and world, many are looking forward to going outside during the summer. After being stuck at home during lockdown, many might be thinking more about their “summer body” and wondering whether a DNA test can optimize their nutritional health. In this episode, we talk with Jill West, a Registered Dietician Nutritionist, to share her thoughts. Jill has over 25 years of experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist, and has her own private practice Jill West Nutrition Consulting serving clients throughout the US. Prior to starting her own practice ..read more

The COVID-19 pandemic, racial uprisings, and the resulting economic recession have impacted many people’s mental health. One study suggests that ~4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, up from ~1 in 10 adults before the pandemic (https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/). How do genetic and environmental factors impact our mental health? What should we do to maintain our mental health, especially during this time? In this episode, we invited Ramona Moldovan PhD, a genetic ..read more

Information about the COVID-19 vaccines is rapidly emerging. Suddenly, we’re hearing terms like mRNA and DNA everywhere. For some of us, we haven’t thought about these concepts since high school biology… and now we have to make health decisions based on these concepts, which brings up questions. How exactly do these COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work? How risky are they, and can they change our DNA? In this episode we speak to a genetic counselor, a specialist in genetics, to make sense of what’s going on around us. As always, we suggest ways help you navigate and apply things in your life.  &nb ..read more

In honor of Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, we hope this episode helps you learn new ways to access genetic counseling services as we tackle a complex topic with an expert genetic counselor. Health insurance can be complex. How do you know if something is or isn’t covered in your plan? And what if you don’t have insurance? This can make decisions about your health, which may include genetic testing and genetic counseling, even harder to figure out. It might make some of us avoid genetic testing or genetic counseling altogether, if we have a choice. But is that the right thing to do? In this e ..read more

We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to fill out this short 60-second survey to help us learn more about our audience! During this global pandemic, social inequities and health disparities are being exposed and discussed more than ever. For some, it’s the first time we’ve talked about social justice or  systemic racism in healthcare. For others, we’ve felt their effects for some time. These inequities and disparities also exist within the genetic testing experience. In this episode, we speak to expert researcher and genetic counselor, Altovise T. Ewing, PhD, LCGC, to raise aware ..read more

There are many things we know when it comes to genetics and health. There’s also much we don’t know, which is to be expected with fast-moving science. Genetic testing can bring out this uncertainty when results aren’t as clear as we’d hoped. And when you layer in a global pandemic that has many unknowns, this can get really difficult. In this episode, our host, Deepti Babu, MS, CGC sits down with Marleah Dean Kruzel, PhD to offer listeners ways to navigate uncertainty when it comes to genetics and genetic testing.  For more information on the topics discussed in this episode, visit aboutg ..read more

At-home DNA tests are popular, but some direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies have cut their workforce following a slowdown in sales. Is the tide changing? If so, why? In this episode, our host, Deepti Babu, MS, CGC sits down with Dawn Barry, president and co-founder of B Corp, LunaPBC, who launched LunaDNA, a community-owned platform for health research. Deepti and Dawn talk through growing consumer concerns with the privacy and security of their  genetic information. For more information on the topics discussed in this episode, visit aboutgeneticcounselors.com and the following w ..read more

At-home DNA tests are a popular gift, especially during the holidays. Did you receive one, by surprise or because it was on your wish list, and now you’re wondering how to take advantage of it? It’s great that you’re thinking about it, and you’re in luck. Season 2 of the Genetic Counselors and You Podcast Series kicks off with NSGC Ancestry Expert, Brianne Kirkpatrick, MS, LCGC, as she sits down with this season's host, Deepti Babu, MS, CGC, to discuss how to make the most of your DNA test holiday gift.  For materials mentioned in this episode, visit aboutgeneticcounselors.com and th ..read more