
Episode #22
Prostate Cancer Genetics, Germline Testing and Expanding Access with Dr. Heather Cheng
In this episode, host Petros Grivas MD, PhD, FASCO speaks with Heather Cheng, MD, PhD, professor at Fred Hutch Cancer Center and the University of Washington and director of the genetics program at Fred Hutch. They discuss how germline and tumor testing inform cancer care, the growing role of telehealth in expanding access to genetics services, and efforts to ensure more people with metastatic prostate cancer can benefit from testing and counseling. Key topics Dr. Cheng's path from physician-scientist to cancer genetics leader How genetics became a focus of her prostate cancer research and care The value of multidisciplinary, patient-centered cancer care Expanding access through telehealth and at-home testing Evolving approaches to genetic counseling and education Understanding germline testing vs. tumor testing How clinicians interpret variants of uncertain significance (VUS) Closing gaps in access to genetic testing through research and outreach Why genetic information matters for treatment decisions and family health Timestamps 00:01 Introduction and Dr. Cheng's background 01:09 Training, oncology, and genetics 03:03 A patient experience that shaped her career 04:25 Broadening the reach of cancer genetics 07:20 Multidisciplinary cancer care 08:40 Telehealth and remote genetic testing 11:08 Modernizing genetic counseling 15:46 Germline vs. tumor testing 20:17 Interpreting genetic test results 23:17 The GENTleMEN study and expanding access 26:37 Identifying patients who may be missing testing opportunities 28:27 Bringing access innovations into routine care 31:20 Looking ahead: progress, partnership, and patient care






