Practice Implications of Expanded Genetic Testing in Oncology

Cancer Invest. 2019;37(1):39-45. doi: 10.1080/07357907.2018.1564926. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Abstract

Genetic test use in oncology is growing, yet providers' experiences with evolving testing norms and their implications for patient care remain under-explored. In interviews with oncologists and cancer genetics professionals, 22 key informants described the increasing importance of germline results for therapeutic decision-making, preference for ordering tests directly rather than referring, and rapid adoption of cancer gene panels for testing. Implications for informed consent, result interpretation, and patient management were identified. These results suggest concerns raised by the transition of genetic test delivery from cancer genetics professionals to oncologists that must be addressed in practice guidelines and provider training.

Keywords: Cancer; Clinical practice; Genetic testing; Genomic medicine; Inherited risk.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Female
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Genetic Testing / methods*
  • Germ-Line Mutation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical Oncology
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Qualitative Research