Genetics & Genomics

In March, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for genetic/familial high-risk assessment for breast and ovarian cancers were updated. Among the updates is a section on “gene panels.”

Jennifer R. Klemp, PhD, MPH presented “Genetics and Genomics: How Does Navigation Fit In?” at the Sixth Annual Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) Conference in Atlanta, GA. “The real role of genomic medicine and where we’re going is that we do want to be more personalized,” Dr Klemp said. “The larger panel in genomic testing is going to keep taking us in that direction.”

Compared with other cancers, ovarian cancer is relatively rare, accounting for just 1.3% of all new cancer cases in the United States.

Here is new information pertaining to this disease site for genetic testing and practice guidelines.

Nurse navigators can play an important role in raising awareness about the importance of hereditary testing and the identification of patients with genetic mutations, as these individuals often experience high rates of recurrence, according to Jennifer Klemp, PhD, MPH, MA.

Dr Chloe Grimmett presented findings from a pilot study on a web-based support tool for young breast cancer patients considering genetic testing for BRCA1/2.

JONS Editor in Chief, Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, ONN-CG, offers her insights on the timely topic of commercially available genetic testing.

Precision medicine is now a mainstay in cancer care, bringing to light the importance of genomic literacy among providers, according to Kate Reed, MPH, ScM, from The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME.

Cancer Screening and Genetic Services May Help Women Make Critical Decisions Based on Their Lifetime Risk for Breast Cancer