Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Melissa Frey’s FOCUS Trial Brings Life-Saving Screen to Preconception Care

Melissa Frey, MD, MS

We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Melissa Frey, CTSC K Scholar alumna and Director of the WCM Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program, whose groundbreaking clinical trial, FOCUS (Feasibility of Obstetric and Cancer Universal Screening), was recently featured in Sports Illustrated.

The FOCUS trial introduces an innovative approach to preconception care, allowing individuals to opt into hereditary cancer screening alongside routine obstetric carrier screening, a potentially life-saving combination. The feature highlights the story of one of Dr. Frey’s patients, Emily Rockefeller, whose experience powerfully illustrates the importance of this dual screening model.

Dr. Frey explains that approximately 80% of individuals with a genetic predisposition to cancer are unaware of their risk. By incorporating hereditary cancer screening into prenatal care, providers can not only support early detection, but also empower women to take charge of their breast and reproductive health.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Frey on this well-deserved recognition. Her work exemplifies the critical role of clinical and translational science in improving patient outcomes and underscores the importance of disseminating scientific findings to broader audiences. Sharing stories like this not only raises awareness but also accelerates the adoption of innovative practices across clinical settings.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to the continued impact of Dr. Frey’s research.

The CTSC KL2 Career Development Scholar Program supports junior faculty and senior residents and fellows by providing salary support, protected time, advanced degree training, and practical skills necessary to conduct interdisciplinary Clinical Translational Investigation within a team research environment.