Last 24 August 2020, the National Institutes of Health Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) held a webinar, “Never Too Young: The Impact of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer”. The event is the third in the series of telegenetics webinar by the IHG. Excellent insights on the molecular basis of colorectal cancer and the value of genetic counseling for these cases were given by Dr. Dennis Sacdalan, a medical oncologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the UP College of Medicine and Mr. Peter James Abad, a genetic counselor and Asisstant Professor at the UP College of Nursing.
This webinar discussed Lynch syndrome which is the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer. Also known as Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal cancer (HNPCC), individuals with Lynch syndrome are at increased lifetime risk of being diagnosed with colon, stomach, and urinary tract cancers; and women are specifically at increased risk for uterine and ovarian cancers.
It was further emphasized that oncology physicians, nurses, and other health care providers have the essential role to identify red flags in patients that could indicate heritable breast and ovarian cancer; to provide patients and their families an opportunity to seek genetic counseling; to provide targeted therapies; and to engage in earlier screening and surveillance along with other interventions that would lead to better outcomes. Telegenetics as a modality in providing genetic risk assessment and genetic counseling services given the current pandemic situation was also presented.
There were 167 attendees, mostly physicians, nurses, and other health workers with a few lay persons. The webinar was sponsored by the Clinical Genetics and Genomics Counseling Care Services Inc., a group of medical geneticists and genetic counselors in the Philippines. The group was formed to support individuals and families in navigating the complexities of genetic and genomic testing methodologies and to translate relevant genetic information necessary for their care. For further information about their services, please feel free to visit their website: cggccs.com or send an email to: info@cggccs.com.
The next webinar in this series will be on 21 September 2020.
