Connecting to Latin American Genetic Counseling and Hereditary Cancer Resources This Hispanic Heritage Month!

Chandrika Kurpad, MS, LGCG - Communications Committee Member

Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the diverse communities, cultures, and contributions of Latin America.

It is also an opportunity to highlight resources that support healthcare professionals working to expand knowledge, education, and access to genetic counseling and hereditary cancer care across the region.

For those interested in genetic counseling, cancer genetics, and hereditary cancer, three organizations provide valuable opportunities to connect with professionals and educational resources across Latin America: SPLAGen, LA-GETH, and SOCHIAGO.

SPLAGen: Connecting the Genetic Counseling Community Across Latin America

The Latin American Professional Society for Genetic Counseling (SPLAGen) is a collaborative community focused on expanding knowledge and access to genetic counseling services in Latin America.

SPLAGen was founded by Latin American genetic counselors in March 2021. Its mission is to promote knowledge and access to genetic counseling through education, professional support, research, and public policy. The organization also seeks to create a collaborative environment where genetic professionals and students from different countries can connect and develop partnerships.

For healthcare professionals interested in genetic counseling, SPLAGen offers opportunities for professional development, continuing education, research collaboration, networking, and professional support.

SPLAGen also provides a Find Clinical Genetics Care directory, allowing individuals to search for genetics providers—including geneticists and genetic counselors—across the United States and Latin America. The listed providers provide clinical care in Spanish and/or Portuguese. SPLAGen notes that the directory information is reported by the listed providers and that the organization does not endorse or warrant the quality of the services provided.

For professionals looking to become more connected to the Latin American genetic counseling community, SPLAGen's membership is another avenue for engagement. The organization describes membership opportunities for genetic counselors, other health professionals, associates, and students.

Explore: SPLAGen

LA-GETH: Advancing Education and Research in Hereditary Cancer

The Latin America Grupo de Estudos de Tumores Hereditários (LA-GETH) focuses specifically on hereditary cancer.

The organization was founded in 2003 as the Brazilian Group for Hereditary Tumors and expanded its scope in 2006 to include members from South America participating in its Scientific Council. One of its missions is to disseminate knowledge and content to healthcare professionals interested in hereditary tumor predisposition.

LA-GETH's stated objectives include advancing education and research in hereditary cancer, collaborating with educational institutions, universities, and public and private organizations, and contributing to technological development and medical care programs.

Education is a central component of the organization. LA-GETH describes free, online biweekly meetings for members, as well as a library of recorded educational content, including lectures from specialists and clinical case discussions. Members can also connect with a collaborative network of professionals involved in hereditary cancer research across Latin America.

LA-GETH also maintains a publications section highlighting research related to hereditary cancer, including work on Lynch syndrome, BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants, hereditary cancer screening, and precision health care.

For professionals seeking continuing education and opportunities to engage with hereditary cancer research in Latin America, LA-GETH provides a regional platform for learning and collaboration.

Explore: LA-GETH

SOCHIAGO: Building Genetic Counseling Expertise in Oncology in Chile

The Sociedad Chilena de Asesoramiento Genético en Oncología (SOCHIAGO) is focused on genetic counseling in oncology in Chile.

SOCHIAGO provides opportunities for healthcare professionals to participate in educational activities related to oncogenetics and hereditary cancer. Its activities include clinical case discussions, webinars, and educational meetings.

Recent SOCHIAGO activities have included discussions of clinical cases in collaboration with LA-GETH, creating opportunities for professionals from across Latin America to discuss real-world situations, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies in hereditary cancer.

SOCHIAGO has also promoted educational programming addressing topics such as personalized breast cancer risk assessment, genetic testing, hereditary cancer, and genetic counseling.

The organization has additionally participated in educational programming focused on hereditary cancer risk, including an international symposium addressing advances in genetic counseling and hereditary breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, along with clinical cases and multidisciplinary management.

For professionals working in or interested in oncology genetic counseling in Chile, SOCHIAGO offers an opportunity to connect with colleagues and engage in ongoing educational discussions.

Three Organizations, One Shared Focus

Although SPLAGen, LA-GETH, and SOCHIAGO have distinct areas of focus, their resources highlight several common themes:

• Education: opportunities to learn and continue developing expertise in genetic counseling and hereditary cancer.

• Professional connection: opportunities to connect healthcare professionals and students across Latin America.

• Research: support for research and the dissemination of knowledge related to genetics and hereditary cancer.

• Collaboration: opportunities to build relationships and work across institutions and countries.

• Access: a shared emphasis on expanding knowledge and access to genetic counseling and hereditary cancer services.

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For Hispanic Heritage Month, these organizations offer tangible ways to learn more about the genetic counseling and hereditary cancer communities across Latin America—and to connect with professionals working to advance education, research, and care.

Explore These Latin American Resources

SPLAGen — Latin American Professional Society for Genetic Counseling - Visit SPLAGen

LA-GETH — Latin America Grupo de Estudos de Tumores Hereditários - Visit LA-GETH

SOCHIAGO — Sociedad Chilena de Asesoramiento Genético en Oncología - Explore SOCHIAGO on LinkedIn