Biden's Cancer Diagnosis: Importance of Genetic Testing

Radio Free Somewhere talks with JScreen director Karen Grinzaid

With President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis making headlines nationwide, experts are urging the public to consider the lesser known but critical factor in many cancer cases: inherited genetic risk.

Roughly 5–10% of prostate cancers are hereditary, and for many families, knowing your genetic makeup could be the difference between early intervention and late-stage detection.

Jscreen.org, a nonprofit public health initiative, is urging men and their familiesto consider the critical role of genetic screening in understanding prostate cancer risk.

jscreen offers at-home access to genetic testing for cancer and reproductive risk. jscreen combines state-of-the-art screening with expert counseling to help people make informed, proactive decisions about their health.

Joining us to talk about prostate cancer screening is Karen Grinzaid. Karen discusses the role of genetic screening in understanding inherited cancer risks, the process of getting tested, and the significance of genetic counseling. The discussion emphasizes the need for early detection and intervention, as well as the affordability and accessibility of genetic testing services.

Karen Grinzaid is Assistant Professor of Human Genetics and Executive Director of jscreen, a national online genetic disease screening program. She has extensive experience in genetic counseling and testing, clinical care and clinical research. Karen is proud of jscreen’s success in helping couples across the U.S. have healthy babies and in giving people the information they need to help prevent the devastating effects of hereditary cancer.

Karen received a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. She is certified in Genetic Counseling by the American Board of Medical Genetics/American Board of Genetic Counseling and as a Clinical Research Coordinator through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.

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