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Olufunmilayo “Funmi” Olopade, director for the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health at the University of Chicago, credits her Nigerian upbringing for her focus on global cancer genetics.“My Yoruba culture really worships our ancestors and the people before us,” Olopade said on the Cancer History Project podcast. “And so that's why I was able to really say, ‘Okay, let's lay the foundation for genetics. Let's go to Nigeria.'”Olopade appears on this special Black History Month episode of the Cancer History Project Podcast in conversation with Robert A. Winn, director and Lipman Chair in Oncology at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and guest editor for The Cancer Letter for Black History Month highlighting some of the giants in the field of cancer research.This episode is sponsored by City of Hope, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Olopade is certainly a giant in cancer genetics and global health.“For those of you who don't know, Dr. Olopade is not only the director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health at the University of Chicago, but she is really a giant in the field and internationally renowned in the context of her expertise in breast cancer,” Winn said on the podcast. “By the way, for those of you who thought you knew Dr. Olopade, remember that she is a really rare, not only National Academy, but in that top 1% of 1% of the 2025 MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the Genius Grant.”On this episode of the Cancer History Project Podcast, Olopade shares her story of immigrating to the U.S. from Nigeria to pursue medicine, and finding her way to becoming a leading expert in oncology.“For us to honor Black History Month, we have to honor all the people who mentored us, who were ahead of us,” Olopade said. “For me, my father was a pastor, and my parents really wanted a doctor. I had big brothers and sisters, I was number 5 of 6 children, and there was just one last chance to find a doctor in the family. Because in those days, growing up in Nigeria, you were either a teacher or a pastor, or and then in his generation he became a pastor.”Growing up in Nigeria, Olopade was deeply influenced by the health disparities she saw due to lack of healthcare access, which initially sparked an interest in cardiology.Explore related articles and read the full transcript: https://cancerhistoryproject.com/article/funmi-olopade-podcast/
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health at The University of Chicago Medicine, Dr. Funmi Olopade, updates us about the latest research in targeting "sleeper cells" and how AI is helping doctors to detect problems sooner rather than later.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health at The University of Chicago Medicine, Dr. Funmi Olopade, talks about the latest research in breast cancer treatment and how Black women can recover and heal.
Every child inherits a set of “germline” DNA from each of their biological parents. At times there are also mutations that are passed down. This differs from what are referred to as “somatic” mutations that are only present in cancer cells, but not in every cell in the body. Environmental factors can also contribute to the development of cancers. Knowing your family history and genetic makeup can help in understanding overall cancer risk, recommended screening and prevention strategies, as well as treatment approaches if diagnosed with cancer. Guests: Ravi Sharaf, MD, MS, Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at Weill Cornell Medicine Host: John Leonard, MD, a leading hematologist and medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Her Story - Envisioning the Leadership Possibilities in Healthcare
Meet Our Guest: Feyi Ayodele is the co-founder and CEO of CancerIQ, a fast-growing precision health platform that allows providers to identify, evaluate and manage entire patient populations based on individual genetic risk factors. In 2013, Ayodele co-founded CancerIQ after taking a sabbatical from the finance world to work alongside her mother, renowned medical oncologist Olufunmilayo Olopade, in the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at University of Chicago. Key Insights: CancerIQ's mission is to make sure more people have access to the right genetic testing services and the right preventive care so cancer can be caught early or the risk can be eliminated altogether. ● From Finance to Healthcare. After starting her career in financial services, she went to Wharton for business school and then felt compelled to take the entrepreneurship path in healthcare.● Early Detection. CancerIQ makes it easy for health systems to personalize cancer prevention and early detection. The company's mission is to make genetic information more accessible and actionable, to empower patients and clinicians in the fight against cancer.● Be a Case Study. Feyi shares insights on the importance of being a successful case study for underrepresented groups in leadership positions. This episode is hosted by CarlaDenise Edward, Ph.D., Strategic Advisor.Relevant Links: Read more about FeyiAbout CancerIQ
Cancer: why we get it, the genetics that may cause it and ways to avoid it with Hematologist-Oncologist and Clinical Cancer Genetics specialist Dr. Colleen Yavarow on MD for Moms with host Dr. Carly Snyder
Cancer: why we get it, the genetics that may cause it and ways to avoid it with Hematologist-Oncologist and Clinical Cancer Genetics specialist Dr. Colleen Yavarow on MD for Moms with host Dr. Carly Snyder
Guest: Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, MD, FACP Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Host Dr. Maurice Pickard welcomes Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, MD, FACP, Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine & Human Genetics, Associate Dean for Global Health, and Director of Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL. Dr. Olopade reviews the latest information and best practices in establishing an interdisciplinary program in improving chronic disease treatment worldwide. She reviews challenges and progress toward providing better education, research and training, and service infrastructures addressing global health issues within the United States and around the world.
Guest: Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, MD, FACP Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Host Dr. Maurice Pickard welcomes Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, MD, FACP, Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine & Human Genetics, Associate Dean for Global Health, and Director of Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL. Dr. Olopade reviews the latest information and best practices in establishing an interdisciplinary program in improving chronic disease treatment worldwide. She reviews challenges and progress toward providing better education, research and training, and service infrastructures addressing global health issues within the United States and around the world.
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Guest: Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, MD, FACP Host Dr. Maurice Pickard welcomes Dr. Funmi Olopade, Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor in Medicine and Human Genetics, Director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, and Director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chicago. Dr. Olopade discusses disparities in health outcomes for black women with breast cancer. Dr. Olopade is an expert in cancer risk assessment and individualized treatment for the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, having developed novel management strategies based on an understanding of the altered genes in individual patients. She stresses comprehensive risk reduction and prevention strategies in high-risk populations, as well as earlier detection through advanced imaging technologies.
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Guest: Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, MD, FACP Host Dr. Maurice Pickard welcomes Dr. Funmi Olopade, Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor in Medicine and Human Genetics, Director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, and Director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chicago. Dr. Olopade discusses disparities in health outcomes for black women with breast cancer. Dr. Olopade is an expert in cancer risk assessment and individualized treatment for the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, having developed novel management strategies based on an understanding of the altered genes in individual patients. She stresses comprehensive risk reduction and prevention strategies in high-risk populations, as well as earlier detection through advanced imaging technologies.
Maureen Mork, MS, CGC, Certified Genetic Counselor, Clinical Cancer Genetics
Maureen Mork, MS, CGC, Certified Genetic Counselor, Clinical Cancer Genetics
Most women have a 10-11% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. However, women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Dr. Banu Arun, Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Co-Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says that’s why it’s important to evaluate family history carefully. In this lecture, Dr. Arun discusses breast cancer risk management options, including screening, chemoprevention, and surgery, for patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
Most women have a 10-11% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. However, women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Dr. Banu Arun, Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Co-Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says that’s why it’s important to evaluate family history carefully. In this lecture, Dr. Arun discusses breast cancer risk management options, including screening, chemoprevention, and surgery, for patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
Banu Arun, M.D., Professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Co-Medical Director, Clinical Cancer Genetics
Banu Arun, M.D., Professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Co-Medical Director for Clinical Cancer Genetics
Banu Arun, M.D., Professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Co-Medical Director for Clinical Cancer Genetics
Banu Arun, M.D., Professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Co-Medical Director, Clinical Cancer Genetics
Diana Turco, a Certified Genetic Counselor at MD Anderson’s Clinical Cancer Genetics discusses whether or not genetic testing is right for you. Approximately 5-10% of cancer is inherited. Individuals who have a genetic predisposition for developing cancer will have a far higher chance of developing cancer within their lifetime and at an earlier age. Learn more about genetic testing and counseling.
Learn when your family history places you at increased risk for breast cancer. Dr. Banu Arun, Associate Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Co-Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Diana Turco, Certified Genetic Counselor in Clinical Cancer Genetics, answer common questions regarding hereditary risk factors for breast cancer. Dr. Jennifer Litton, Assistant Professor of Breast Medical Oncology, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center moderates the discussion.
How often you should get tested for breast cancer depends on your chances for getting the disease. If you are at increased risk for breast cancer, you may need to start screening exams at an earlier age, get additional tests or be tested more often. Dr. Banu Arun, Associate Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Clinical Cancer Prevention, and Co-Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presents an overview of breast cancer risk management.
Diana Turco, a Certified Genetic Counselor at MD Anderson’s Clinical Cancer Genetics discusses whether or not genetic testing is right for you. Approximately 5-10% of cancer is inherited. Individuals who have a genetic predisposition for developing cancer will have a far higher chance of developing cancer within their lifetime and at an earlier age. Learn more about genetic testing and counseling.
Dr. James Ford, Associate Professor of Medicine and Genetics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, discusses possibilities for using genetic testing to predict and manage the risks of certain cancers. (September 17, 2008)