Local Woman Embracing Middle Age Optimistically Thanks to St. Luke’s and DNA Answers

Jillian Leister learned that she carries a genetic mutation for breast and ovarian cancer through the St. Luke’s DNA Answers research program.

“I was totally floored!” said the 40-year-old mother of two. “In an instant, my world flipped upside-down.”

But Jillian was not left to process the news on her own. Within the hour, she was called by St. Luke’s and was offered a consultation the next day with one of the Network’s genetic counselors for follow-up questions and guidance on next steps.

“I trust St. Luke’s,” she said. “I appreciate that this call came quickly.”

DNA Answers is a no-cost community health research program that St. Luke’s is offering with their population genomics partner, Helix. The organizations launched the DNA Answers research study as part of an ongoing commitment by St. Luke’s to the community it serves to offer the latest medical technologies that support a “precision medicine” approach in healthcare.

In January 2024, St. Luke’s launched DNA Answers, which involves ‘medical grade’ analysis of participants’ DNA through Helix’s Whole Exome(+) Sequencing (WES) technology designed specifically for healthcare purposes. 

“We have arrived at a historic turning point in the history of medicine—the ability to use information stored in patients’ DNA to improve the accuracy of certain treatments for the individual patient,” said Aldo Carmona, MD, St. Luke’s Senior Vice President of Clinical Integration.

Christopher N. Chapman, MD, Medical Director for St. Luke’s Precision Medicine and the Principal Investigator for the DNA Answers study, explained, “Our study initially aims to enroll 100,000 participants over four years. Participating individuals, like Mrs. Leister, are provided genetic screening at no cost, informing them of important health information about inherited risks for serious conditions, such as a certain type of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. This knowledge allows the participant to make proactive decisions in conjunction with their healthcare provider to potentially delay, reduce, or even prevent these conditions from occurring later in life. Jillian’s personalized DNA Answers report, shared with her via the St. Luke’s confidential patient portal, revealed that she carries the BRCA2 gene. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene are associated with multiple cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers.  

“I felt like a ticking time bomb,” Jillian recalled. It also puts her young daughters, ages seven and ten, at a 50% risk of inheriting the BRCA2 gene.

The genetic counselor, Corrine Fillman, MS, CGC, explained Jillian’s results in depth and offered to refer her to St. Luke’s specialists for next steps to address the issues linked to the BRCA2 mutation.

Within a few weeks, Jillian met with St. Luke’s gynecologic surgeon, Rick Boulay, MD, who advised her that preventive surgical removal of her reproductive organs would greatly reduce her chances for gynecologic cancer.

“It was a no-brainer,” Jillian said, and Dr. Boulay operated within a few weeks. “He’s fantastic!” she said, adding that the preemptive surgery was uneventful and “made sense since I’m through having babies.” Her mother, who has no history of cancer, is having her own blood drawn this month on the advice of her daughter.

DNA Answers may also allow participants to keep learning from their DNA in the future. Since each participant’s genetic information has been sequenced and stored, it allows future clinical genomic tests to be run, with a provider’s order and patient consent, without the need to collect an additional sample. This could help providers tailor care options and prescribe medications even more accurately and effectively, as well as provide patients access to ongoing genetic insights to continue learning about their health throughout their lifetimes.

Currently, Jillian is undergoing routine surveillance screening for signs of breast cancer, with alternating MRIs and mammograms every six months, with consultation from Fawn Wolf, CRNP, nurse practitioner-breast specialist. She’s planning to undergo a double mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction.

“I’m at peace now that I have knowledge, and knowledge is power,” Jillian said. Her husband, who has been her rock of support during this ordeal, had his genetic testing done through DNA Answers, she said. “He’s good, has no mutations.”

Having recently turned 40, Jillian said she’s optimistic about her long-term health. She encourages her relatives and friends to participate in DNA Answers, saying, “Do it. It’s provided at no cost and could save your life.” Some friends, in addition to her mother, have taken this advice.

“I feel super thankful to St. Luke’s for offering this program and making their medical experts available,” Jillian said.

To learn more about St. Luke’s community research study, DNA Answers, visit DNAanswers.org.

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