A Pilot Study of Genetic Testing Uptake Through Enhanced Oncology Nurse-Led Intervention

Genetic factors are a significant determinant of the likelihood of developing various types of cancers. Identification of germline risk can have important implications for both patients and their families. Although estimates vary, pathogenic germline variants can be seen in \~3-17.5% of unselected patients with cancer with important clinical significance. Unfortunately, despite progress in multigene testing and the identification of heritable conditions, genetic counseling and testing (GCT) remains underutilized among cancer patients. Although there are multiple barriers to low testing, initial referral to GCT from the treating oncologist has been noted to be the most significant barrier. Nurse navigation has been shown to improve the timeliness of cancer care and patient outcomes across various cancer types and improve the uptake of genomic testing in cancer patients. Despite proven benefits, community cancer centers often face resource limitations that prevent them from consistently assigning a dedicated nurse navigator to cancer patients. However, community centers universally have oncology nurses who routinely educate patients about their systemic therapies. By enhancing the "therapy education" sessions, the investigators hypothesize that oncology nurses can bridge this gap and potentially identify eligible patients, provide essential education on the importance of genetic testing, and facilitate the referral process. The investigators propose a pilot randomized study to…

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Rachel A Kitchen, CCRP  ·  406-417-1576  ·  rkitchen@ucdavis.edu

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