EP 172: Racial health disparities in genetic testing and breast cancer treatment with Dr. Versha Pleasant of University of Michigan

This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Versha Pleasant, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan and Director of the Cancer Genetics and Breast Health Clinic at Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. They discuss ongoing disparities in healthcare, in particular why black women in the US have a 40% higher chance of dying from breast cancer than white women, the impact of the US Educate Act on equality, diversity and inclusion education, and much more.

00:00:00 – Intro to The Genetics Podcast

00:01:52 – Welcome to Versha

00:03:22 – How black women have a 40% higher chance of mortality from breast cancer than white women, and the biggest drivers of this disparity

00:07:09 – Multifaceted approaches to addressing disparities

00:09:10 – Racial health duplicity and increasing access to genetic testing and mammography for black women

00:13:51 – The challenges of using precision medicine to stratify risk in black communities and historical harms in US medical research

00:14:29 – How to design for inclusive studies that effectively represent communities of colour

00:16:13 – Considering universal genetic testing and counseling for black women

00:21:24 – The logistics of making universal testing a reality, and the importance of community education and trust building

00:27:18 – What Versha is focused on next and the big topics she wants to tackle

00:33:24 – The role of community education and diversifying modes of communication for knowledge sharing

00:34:36 – Versha’s perspectives on the US Educate Act and the impact it could have on what doctors of the future are taught

00:40:52 – Versha’s advice to people who would like to pursue a similar career in medicine

00:43:28 – Where Patrick sees genetics evolving in the next ten years and his vision for the future of The Genetics Podcast

00:47:39 – Closing remarks

Find out more

Universal Genetic Counseling and Testing for Black Women: A Risk-Stratified Approach to Addressing Breast Cancer Disparities: https://www.clinical-breast-cancer.com/article/S1526-8209(24)00338-0/fulltext 

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