MONTHLY GLMS GUEST SPEAKERS Provide
Knowledge and Networking for Senior Physicians
Aaron Burch
E
ach month, the Dr. Charles Oberst, chair of the Senior
Physicians Committee, invites an interesting guest speaker
to the GLMS Board Room for a one-of-a-kind intellectual
discussion with our members. Past meetings have touched
on wide-ranging topics from skin-bearing transplants to
sexual health in seniors to global adventures with the FBI.
The March 2019 meeting was anchored by Dr. Kara Goodin,
a medical geneticist with the Norton Cancer Institute. She spoke
about the recent trend in direct-to-consumer genetic testing led by
companies like “23andMe” and “AncestryDNA.”
“This is an interest that has exploded over the last few years.
My peers and I get a lot of questions about it,” said Dr. Goodin,
who is primarily focused on hereditary cancer syndromes in her
current practice.
These tests are sent through the mail with a saliva collection kit.
According to Dr. Goodin, the testing analyzes single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine information about health
and ancestry. It was originally designed from a health trait stand-
point so those being tested could find out simple questions such
as “How likely am I to have alcohol flush?” or “How likely am I to
have curly hair?”
She continued, “We want people to be aware of what these genetic
tests can find and what they can’t. Sometimes, users may get a false
sense of security if the test says they’re unlikely to be afflicted with
certain health risks or genetic traits.”
Dr. Goodin explained that a test like the one done by “23andMe”
often has very specific limitations. For example, it is very European/
Caucasian based so histories originating from other regions aren’t
as accurate. “It also doesn’t address health concerns or risks for
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
carriers of certain conditions such as ‘Bloom Syndrome’ which is
an increased risk of colon cancer.”
Dr. Goodin also stressed to the group that it was unwise for a lay-
person to see his or her results and be asked to analyze them without
professional assistance. “These programs rarely provide pre-test or
post-test counseling, which is important. Those interested should
have the opportunity to review risk factors including family history,
lifestyle and environment. If you want to pursue this hobby, that’s
fine. It’s just essential to know what the risks and drawbacks are.”
Other portions of Dr. Goodin’s presentation included a summary
of neurodegenerative diseases and a review of how Louisville is a
leading city in cancer research and treatment.
“There’s an extensive level of care for cancer patients in Louisville.
In the major hospital systems, patient navigators are available for
guiding them and their families through the process from diagnosis
to treatment, recovery and survivorship. There are also medical social
workers, behavioral oncology professionals, lymphedema services
and even a mobile mammography unit (MMU).”
The MMU is particularly useful for residents who may be without
insurance or a primary care provider, she explained. “The MMU
has managed to reach a demographic that Louisville physicians
may otherwise miss. There have been several individuals who were
discovered to have breast cancer through this unit.”
The next Senior Physicians Committee meeting will be Tuesday,
May 14 th . The featured speaker will be Robert Emmons, MD, dis-
cussing cellular immunotherapy and the future of cancer treatment.
For more information or to RSVP, call 502-736-6326.
Aaron Burch is the GLMS Communications Specialist.