Veda N. Giri, MD, is a medical oncologist who specializes in cancer genetics.
She is professor of internal medicine (medical oncology) at Yale School of Medicine and division chief of Clinical Cancer Genetics for Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital and director of the Cancer Genetics & Prevention Program and Early-Onset Cancer Program at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Dr. Giri says she knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
"I always enjoyed the sciences in school, and genetics intrigued me in medical school because it involves understanding the human body, why diseases occur, and how to address disease risk and treatment," she says. "I also enjoy getting to know patients and their families, so combining oncology and cancer genetics in my career has been gratifying. Genetics research expands our knowledge on enhancing cancer genetic testing, which has surged due to precision medicine, where oncology and cancer genetics collaborate to identify cancer mutations and develop informed treatments."
In her role as leader of the Smilow Cancer Genetics & Prevention Program, Dr. Giri oversees genetic evaluation and research initiatives of the comprehensive program. She sees patients to discuss genetic test results and high risk cancer management.
“I work closely with the genetic counselors during these discussions, and we follow patients who have higher-risk genetic mutations to make sure they are undergoing appropriate screening,” she says. “I also work on research to address disparities in cancer genetics, implementation of genetic testing, and to increase public awareness about cancer genetics and our Cancer Genetics Program.”
At the Early-Onset Cancer Program, Dr. Giri and colleagues work with patients diagnosed with cancer between ages 18 and 45. “These patients have unique clinical, research, and psychosocial needs that deserve to be addressed in a dedicated way,” she says. “We often are asked what individuals can do now about early onset of cancer. We are working to raise awareness about genetic testing and earlier cancer screening for appropriate patients at younger ages. Knowing your family history can be a particularly important strategy to help inform earlier cancer screening.”
Dr. Giri's research includes studies on the genetic evaluation of cancer risk, disparities in access to genetic testing and counseling, and implementation research. She has led numerous studies to advance the field of genetic counseling and genetic testing for inherited prostate cancer. Dr. Giri contributes her expertise at the national level by her involvement with the National Cancer Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
