9 Things Black Breasties Should Know About Genetic Testing

Imagine a world where every person with breast cancer has access to personalized treatments and prevention strategies tailored to their unique genetic makeup. That’s the exciting promise of genetic testing, a groundbreaking tool that’s transforming cancer care as we know it. A recent study from Invitae, a leading medical genetics company, revealed that machine learning has been instrumental in clarifying more than 20 percent of uncertain genetic test results for hereditary breast cancer, particularly benefiting underrepresented populations. This study also highlighted that Black individuals with a history of breast cancer had a definitive classification (22 percent) based on machine learning evidence, compared to their white counterparts (12 percent). To dive deeper into this research and its implications, BlackDoctor.org sat down with Dr. Ed Esplin, a Clinical Geneticist at Invitae and co-author of the study. Dr. Esplin shared insights into his work in cancer genetics, his mission to enhance access to genetic testing and healthcare for diverse populations, and the critical role of genetic testing in healthcare today. Dr. Esplin leads efforts in cancer genetics, conducting internal and collaborative research to understand cancer causes, improve treatment effectiveness across ancestries, and demonstrate how genetic testing can impact patient care. He focuses on...