Hereditary Cancer Clinic at the Georgia Cancer Center receives first fellow

Ummul Asfeen, DO, is the first fellow to be identified as a part of the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at the Georgia Cancer Center.

After learning of the opportunity from a colleague, she decided to apply due to her interest in hereditary cancers and heme-oncology. Asfeen joined the GCC in June 2024 and will remain on staff until her 12-month fellowship is complete in June 2025.

“I was so excited to have this opportunity, especially as the very first fellow for this clinic,” Asfeen said. “It has been a fantastic experience ever since I came here. Dr. (John) Henson is an incredible mentor and a guru in this field. I have learned so much from him.”

As an internal medicine physician, Asfeen is focused on a holistic approach to disease prevention and management. She graduated from the New York Institute Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her internal medicine training at the New York Medical College affiliate.

Her drive to have experience and knowledge in all aspects of care stems from her nephew, who passed away from a brain tumor four months ago. Asfeen was by her sister’s side as much as she could be, helping the family navigate the complexities of a cancer diagnosis journey.

“I can put myself in the patient’s shoes and the family members’ shoes, as well,” she said “I’ve been on the other side; I have seen personally how cancer impacts lives.” 

As a fellow of the Hereditary Clinic, Asfeen guides patients through a genetic journey that can be very emotional. Asfeen starts by working with a patient to build a pedigree that goes back three to four generations so they can have an overall picture of possible health risks they need to be aware of, especially cancer. Once the possible risks are laid out, Asfeen refers them for genetic testing and then works through the results with them, developing a personalized risk management plan.

“You can catch the problem and prevent it from becoming life-threatening for the patient,” Asfeen said. “You can save their lives, and their family members’ lives, by having this surveillance ahead of time.”

The Hereditary Clinic has subspecialty clinics connected to it, including the Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Clinic, the TSC Alliance Clinic and the Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program. Asfeen has had opportunities to work within each clinic alongside John Henson, MD, the director of the Hereditary Cancer Clinic. During their time together, they have been able to collaborate on multiple scholarly research projects and clinical trials.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Asfeen here with us at the clinic,” Henson said. “It has been a wonderful teaching opportunity, and I am eager to see how she advances in her career once she leaves us.”

Once Asfeen finishes her current fellowship, she will be joining the Hospice Palliative Care team at MD Anderson as a fellow and plans to pursue a hematology and oncology fellowship.

“All of this will make me a well-rounded physician in the care of oncology patients. I truly believe in that,” Asfeen said.