Current Research Studies

Fisher Center members are involved in several genetic counseling research projects, as listed below.

If you have questions about these studies, please contact us at 877-687-2720 (toll-free) or fisher.research@georgetown.edu.

To make an appointment for clinical genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer risk at MedStar Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, please call (202) 444-0023 or email GUH-LombardiGenetics@medstar.net.

Adjuncts to Genetic Counseling and Testing

Genetic Counseling and Testing in Women

Genetic Counseling and Testing in Families

Genetic Counseling Studies in Latinx Populations

Adjuncts to Genetic Counseling and Testing

**Parent Communication Study (PCS) IV: Improving Genetic Counseling for BRCA+ Mothers**

Participants are mothers with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who have at least one child between 13-24 years old
Randomized clinical trial of an educational workbook or an educational workbook plus telephone sessions with a parent coach
The purpose of this study is to help mothers make more informed choices about talking with children about hereditary breast/ovarian cancer, and to provide mothers with information and support for their children and families
Participating sites: Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute
PIs: Dr. Kenneth Tercyak and Ms. Beth N. Peshkin

Genetic Counseling and Testing in Women

Achieving Cancer Equity through Identification, Testing, and Screening (ACE-ITS)

Quality improvement project to address breast cancer disparities in the District of Columbia (DC) metropolitan area
The project focuses on encouraging women who have had a mammogram through the Capital Breast Care Center (CBCC) to continue to have regular mammograms and identifying women who would be eligible for genetic counseling and testing
Participating site: Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
Funded by Pfizer and the American Cancer Society
PIs: Drs. Chiranjeev Dash and Suzanne O’Neill; Community Partners: Ms. Thelma D. Jones (Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund) and Ms. Ify Nwabukwu (African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association)

Genetic Counseling and Testing in Families

Peers and Cancer Empowerment (PeACE)

Randomized clinical trial evaluating the impact and efficacy of a peer support intervention for young female blood relatives (aged 21-30) of male or female BRCA1/2 carriers
Participants receive either three sessions of a telephone-based peer counseling program or are navigated to receive community-based peer support
The purpose of the study is to offer support, train young women in coping strategies for health-related stress and support decision making and problem solving
Participating sites: Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute
PIs: Drs. Suzanne O’Neill and Kenneth Tercyak

CASCADE: CAncer Susceptibility Counseling And DEcisions

Participants are untested men and women from families in which a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation has been identified
Randomized clinical trial to develop and evaluate delivery of a proactive web-based genetic education intervention
Participating sites: Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, George Washington Cancer Institute, Geisinger Clinic, Inova Schar Cancer Institute
Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute
PI: Dr. Marc Schwartz

Addressing Genomic Disparities in Cancer Survivors

Randomized controlled trial in Black cancer survivors to evaluate the impact and efficacy of a traceback approach to genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk.
To enhance awareness, facilitate informed decision-making and streamline genetic service delivery, participants are assigned to:
- Proactive outreach + chatbot delivered and culturally competent genetic education + optional streamlined genetic testing.
- Enhanced and facilitated genetic counseling referral.
Participating sites: Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, MedStar Washington Cancer Institute, Rutgers Cancer Institute
Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute
PIs: Drs. Marc Schwartz (Georgetown) and Anita Kinney (Rutgers)

BRCA1/BRCA2 Mutations and Accelerated Physiologic Aging

Pilot study to determine whether mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with accelerated physiological age.
Using a panel of epigenetic markers associated with physiological age, compare archived tissue from individuals with a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 to individuals without a pathogenic variant.
Funded by Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
PIs: Drs. Marc D. Schwartz and Jeanne Mandelblatt (Georgetown), Dr. Judith Carroll (UCLA) and Dr. Heiddis Valdimarsdottir (Mt. Sinai Medical Center).

Genetic Counseling Studies in Latinx Populations

Testing a Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Video in At-Risk Latinas

Randomized clinical trial among Latina women at-risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
Participants receive either a culturally targeted video or a fact sheet about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
Participants have the option of obtaining free telephone genetic counseling
Participating sites: Nueva Vida, Capital Breast Care Center, Arlington Free Clinic, Virginia Commonwealth University (La Casa de la Salud)
Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute
PI: Dr. Alejandra Hurtado de Mendoza

ÁRBOLES Familiares (Family Tree) Training Program: Assessing the Risk of Breast Cancer through Outreach to Latinas with Education and Support

Program to train community health educators, promotoras, community health workers and patient navigators who work with the Latinx community
Trainees attend a 2.5 day in-person workshop followed by 6 online sessions
Curriculum enhances trainees’ “referral-level competence” to identify Latinas at high risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and navigate them to appropriate genetic services
Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute
PIs: Drs. Kristi Graves (Georgetown) and Susan Vadaparampil (Moffitt Cancer Center; Tampa, FL)

ÁRBOLES LATIN AMERICA

Physicians, community health navigators, and individuals with breast or ovarian cancer diagnoses in Guatemala, Mexico, and Colombia
Participants will complete an hour-long individual interview about their knowledge of and experiences with HBOC genetic testing and genetic services in their country of residence and provide suggestions to adapt the ÁRBOLES Familiares program to their country and population
Assess interest and feasibility of implementing existing ÁRBOLES Familiares training in Guatemala, Mexico, and Colombia. Assess the current knowledge of genetic counseling and testing services and HBOC in Guatemala, Mexico, and Colombia.
Participating site: Georgetown University
Funded by the Global Health Initiative (Georgetown University)
PIs: Drs. Kristi Graves and Alejandra Hurtado de Mendoza

If you have questions about these studies, please contact us at 877-687-2720 (toll-free) or fisher.research@georgetown.edu.

Updated on 4/12/2023