Genetic testing rates grew from 30% to 72% of eligible prostate cancer patients after Aurora-based University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center implemented mainstream genetic testing during regular clinic appointments, according to a study published May 28 in JCO Oncology Practice.
Researchers compared testing rates of 112 eligible patients seen in 2023 with rates of 115 eligible patients seen in 2024 after the clinic began offering testing directly during appointments.
Pathogenic variants were found in 10 patients tested under the new testing model, seven of whom completed post-test genetic counseling, where the care team discussed cascade testing and preventive screening recommendations for family members.
“Doing the mainstream testing really increased the number of men who were able to take advantage of this opportunity,” Laura Graham, MD, lead study author and assistant professor of medical oncology at CU Anschutz, said in a July 23 news release from the university. “The other important thing about this is it represents a scalable framework that can be replicated in other cancer types like pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. I’ve applied for a grant that’s supported by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Pfizer to support us rolling out mainstream testing into all the UCHealth satellite sites.”
Read the full study here.
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