Our 5th UK Annual PALB2 formation Session is designed for people of all genders who carry a PALB2 gene mutation and would like to learn more about the gene and its implications.
The session will cover the latest research (including updates related to pancreatic cancer), current UK guidelines for PALB2 risk management, emerging treatment options, emotional wellbeing, and sources of support for carriers and their families.
Although our expert panel is UK-based and the primary focus is on UK guidance, everyone is welcome to attend. Age 16+.
Agenda – Expert Panel Discussion & Q&A
(facilitated by Yulia Baynham)
- PALB2 gene: latest research and risk-management guidance
Professor Marc Tischkowitz and Dr Anju Kulkarni - Pancreatic cancer risks and surveillance
Dr Michael Chapman - Q&A session, including questions submitted in advance and live questions from participants
Yulia Baynham, PALB2 carrier
SESSION DETAILS
Time: 3 December 2025 17:00-18:00 GMT (London)
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More infoFor organisers: Meeting options
Panellists:
| Yulia Baynham, Palb2 gene carrier Diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2019, Yulia underwent comprehensive treatment. During this time, she was found to carry a pathogenic PALB2 gene variant, confirming a hereditary predisposition.Yulia is the organiser of these annual sessions and will act as facilitator. She is a senior contributor and patient representative for the CanRisk 2.0programme and the EMBRACE study, both led by the University of Cambridge and funded by Cancer Research UK. She also serves as a PPIE representative for the Inherited Cancer Theme of ACED (the International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection).Previously, Yulia was Vice-Chair and a Board Trustee of the Olive Tree Cancer Support Group, a charity based in the Crawley and Horsham areas of West Sussex that supports people affected by cancer and their families. | |
| Professor Marc Tischkowitz is a Consultant Clinical Geneticist and Lead for the Cancer Genetics service in East Anglia. He trained in Medical Oncology and Medical Genetics before moving to Canada, where he was in the Faculty at McGill University for six years before coming to Cambridge in 2011. Much of his research has been on the PALB2 and hereditary breast cancer predisposition but his interests cover all areas of hereditary cancer and translating the recent advances in genomic technology into clinical practice. He is a founding member of the Global PALB2 Interest Group. | |
| Dr Michael Chapman is Consultant Gastroenterologist, University College Hospital, London, where he also runs the EUROPAC clinic. Dr Chapman qualified in 1997 from UCL Medical School and completed specialist training in London. His practice includes general gastroenterology with a specialist interest in pancreatobiliary medicine and hepatology. Conditions of particular interest include primary sclerosing cholangitis, IgG4 related cholangitis and pancreatitis, gallstones, chronic pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, duodenal polyps, pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. | |
| Dr Anju Kulkarni is a Consultant Clinical Geneticist and Lead for the Cancer Genetics service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. She graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine and trained at specialist level in both Medical Oncology and Clinical Genetics. Anju leads multidisciplinary specialist clinics for BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers and rarer hereditary cancer conditions (including PALB2). She holds several regional and national roles, including council member of the UK Cancer Genetics Group and medical advisor to the UK Genetic Counselling Registration Board. | |
| Dr Vishakha Tripathi is a Consultant Genetic Counsellor at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. She has varied background ranging from special needs teaching, medicine and genetic counselling. She currently leads the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer service (HBOC) at Guy’s and through this work contributes to research in all areas of cancer genetics. Nationally, Vishakha has been Chair of the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRB) and is a member of the Clinical Genetics, Clinical Reference Group for NHS England. She also leads a successful cancer genetics course which has trained numerous family history nurses and clinicians in cancer care. (Standing member of the panel, advance Q&A responses) |
Previous sessions/ reference documents
- 1st UK PALB2 webinar (Sept 2020) – link to recording
- Background to PALB2, latest research and genetic developments;
- managing own cancer risk and risks within your families;
- Sharing the information about the gene with others; resources
- 2nd UK PALB2 webinar (September 2021) – link to recording
- ACMG International guidelines in PALB2 management
- Targeted therapies and new treatment options
- PALB2 Patient information booklet published in November 2021
- 3rd UK PALB2 webinar (Oct 2022) – link to recording
- PALB2 – latest research and genetic developments; Patient stories; Q&As received in advance and from the audience
- 4th UK PALB2 webinar (Oct 2024) – link to recording
- PALB2 – latest research and genetic developments; Patient journey; Q&As received in advance and from the audience