What you need to know about DNA tests

Kylie Whalen, MS, LCGC CG(ASCP)CM, is a Senior Pediatric Genetic Counselor in Inova’s Genetics Department. Kylie received her bachelor’s in diagnostic genetic sciences with a concentration in cytogenetics at the University of Connecticut, and she maintains a current certification as a cytogenetic technologist. Kylie received her master’s in genetic counseling from Long Island University. DNA…

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Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Risk

Morgan Turner, MS, CGC, is a Virginia-licensed and nationally board-certified, cancer-specialized genetic counselor at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. She joined Inova in June 2018. Many patients are surprised to learn that the majority of people who are diagnosed with a cancer do not have a genetic (or inherited) cause for their cancer. Indeed, it is…

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Genetic testing & counseling helped guide this breast cancer patient’s journey

Family Matters Genetic testing and counseling help guide a Northern Virginia wife and mother’s decisions about her breast cancer treatment When Nicole Sharabi, 42, tested positive last year for stage 3, triple-negative breast cancer, she was ready to take action. But before beginning any medical treatment, Nicole underwent genetic testing. “I wanted as much information…

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Considering New Direct-to-Consumer Breast Cancer Tests? First, Get the Facts

Tiffani A. DeMarco, MS, LCGC, is a licensed and certified genetic counselor and the manager of the cancer genetic counseling program at the Inova Translational Medicine Institute. She and her team of cancer genetic counselors specialize in counseling patients and family members at risk for hereditary cancers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave…

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Ahead of the Curve: Inova’s Commitment to Genetic Counseling

Tiffani A. DeMarco, MS, CGC, is a certified genetic counselor and co-manager of the Cancer Genetics Program at the Inova Translational Medicine Institute. She specializes in counseling patients and family members at risk for hereditary cancers. Read Tiffani DeMarco’s profile. Recently, The Washington Post discussed genetic counseling during a live program called “Chasing Cancer.” During…

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Men and BRCA Testing: What You Need To Know

Sarah Ruppert, MS, CGC, is a certified genetic counselor and genetics program supervisor at the Inova Translational Medicine Institute. Read Sarah Ruppert’s profile. If you’re familiar with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, odds are good you think of them as “breast cancer genes.” Indeed, mutations in these two genes are associated with a significantly increased…

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Genetic Counselors In Growing Demand as Genetic Testing Takes Off

Benjamin D. Solomon leads the Medical Genomics Division at the Inova Translational Medicine Institute. He performs genome-based research to find the causes of patients’ genetic disorders and is also involved in the clinical care of patients with genetic conditions. He is board certified in clinical genetics and pediatrics. Read Dr. Solomon’s profile. Last year, a…

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