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, clinical director of the Genetics Program and director of the Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Cheng and holds the Marty Lazarus Weiden Family Endowed Chair. 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

• 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

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