New York Times report demonstrates need for genetic counseling, but doesn’t give the whole story
https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/new-york-times-article-on-genetic-testing
Full article: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/health/breast-cancer-brca-genetic-testing.html?_r=1
A New York Times report discussed how genetic testing could provide “grim data” without guidance for patients. While this is a valid concern, this report does not sufficiently emphasize certain important issues regarding genetic testing, particularly the need for genetic counseling by a health care provider with expertise in genetics before and after genetic testing. (4/5/16)
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider
- Should I see a genetics expert to help me better understand my genetic test results?
- I have a VUS result? Is there additional testing that can help me better understand my risk for hereditary cancer?
- I have a VUS, can I participate in a research study to help scientists learn more about reclassifying variants?
Open Clinical Trials
The following clinical trials include genetic counseling and testing.
- NCT02620852: WISDOM Study: Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk offers women ages 40-74 the opportunity to undergo risk assessment and genetic testing in order to determine the best breast screening options based on their situation.
- NCT05562778: Chatbot to maximize hereditary cancer genetic risk assessment. Researchers are testing whether a mobile health platform, known as a "chatbot" can improve rates of genetic testing among Medicaid patients with an elevated risk having an inherited mutation.
- NCT05427240: eHealth Delivery Alternative for Cancer Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer (eReach2). This study will look at the effectiveness of offering web-based options for pre/post-test genetic counseling to provide equal or improved timely uptake of genetic services and testing.
- NCT05694559: Connecting Black Families in Houston, Texas to Hereditary Cancer Genetic Counseling, Genetic Testing, and Cascade Testing by Using a Simple Genetic Risk Screening Tool and Telegenetics. This study will provide genetic testing to 150 Black individuals and families and provide genetic counseling and risk reduction resources to individuals with a mutation linked to increased cancer risk.
Other genetic counseling or testing studies may be found here.
About FORCE
FORCE is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1999. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by adult hereditary cancers.