Vicki Kiesel discusses the psychological impact of genetic testing on BBC Radio Derby: 16th September 2026
Vicki Kiesel, CEO and Founder of Genetic Experts, was invited onto BBC Radio Derby’s Becky Measures Show today to discuss an important but sometimes overlooked aspect of genetic testing: the psychological impact that genetic information can have on individuals and families.
As genetic testing becomes increasingly accessible and plays a growing role in understanding inherited cancer risk, conversations about testing often focus on the science, the results and what those results may mean medically. But behind every genetic test is a person — and the emotional impact of receiving genetic information can be significant.
Genetic testing is more than a test result
Genetic testing can provide valuable information about a person’s inherited risk of certain conditions, including hereditary cancers. However, knowing that you may carry a genetic variant can also bring uncertainty, anxiety and difficult decisions.
For some people, testing can provide reassurance or an explanation for a family history that has previously been difficult to understand. For others, a result may raise new questions about their own future and the health of relatives and children.
This is where genetic counselling plays an important role.
Vicki brings more than 20 years of clinical experience in genetic counselling and cancer genomics. She has worked extensively with individuals and families navigating inherited cancer risk and has a particular interest in ensuring that genetic testing is both clinically useful and appropriately supported.
The importance of preparing for the result
One of the key considerations around genetic testing is that people need to understand not only what a test might tell them, but also how they might feel about the information they receive.
A genetic test can have implications beyond the individual being tested. Results may provide information about relatives, children and wider family members, potentially changing the way a family thinks about its health history and future.
Genetic counselling provides an opportunity to discuss these possibilities before testing takes place and to help people understand the potential outcomes.
This is particularly important in hereditary cancer, where a genetic result can influence decisions about screening, risk management and, in some circumstances, preventative measures.
Putting people at the centre of genomics
Vicki's appearance on BBC Radio Derby forms part of a wider conversation around inherited cancer and genetic testing. BBC Radio Derby has been running its “It Starts With You” campaign, encouraging people to understand their family history and recognise the potential significance of inherited cancer risk. Vicki has previously taken part in the campaign, speaking with presenter Becky Measures, and radio listeners about inherited cancer risk.
The campaign is particularly relevant because genetic testing is not simply a laboratory process. For many people, it can be a deeply personal experience involving family history, uncertainty and decisions about the future.
As Vicki's work demonstrates, providing accurate genetic information needs to go hand in hand with supporting people through the emotional and psychological dimensions of that information.
Listen to Vicki on BBC Radio Derby
You can listen to Vicki Kiesel's conversation with Becky Measures on BBC Sounds between 1:36:00 and 1:45:00 within the programme:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m003141g
Her appearance provides an opportunity to consider an important question: when we discover more about our genes, how do we support people with the information that follows?
At Genetic Experts, we believe that understanding genetic risk should be accompanied by clear information, appropriate counselling and compassionate support — helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health and their future.
About Vicki Kiesel
Vicki Kiesel is CEO and Founder of Genetic Experts and a specialist in cancer genomics and genetic counselling. She is also Lead Genetic Counsellor for the LNR Genomic Service and East Midlands Cancer Alliance genomics lead and has contributed to regional and national approaches to hereditary cancer testing.