Remote Telehealth Significantly Boosts Genetic Testing for Childhood Cancer Survivors
Adult survivors of childhood cancers face an increased risk of developing secondary cancers, distinct from a relapse of their original illness. This heightened risk is primarily attributed to previous cancer therapies, though up to 13 percent of survivors also possess hereditary predispositions.
A recent clinical trial, published in Lancet Regional Health – Americas, investigated the effectiveness of genetic services delivered via remote centralized telehealth, in collaboration with primary care, for this population. The study found that this approach significantly increased the uptake of genetic counseling and testing.
"Identifying survivors with cancer-predisposing genetic variants enables personalized survivorship care, including early screenings and preventive measures."
Dr. Tara Henderson, lead author and Chair of Pediatrics at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, added that the study, the first national randomized trial of its kind, demonstrated that remote telehealth services improve access to genetic counseling and testing, potentially leading to earlier detection of subsequent cancers and reduced morbidity and mortality.
The trial included 391 participants with a mean age of 44. All participants received information regarding the benefits of genetic testing. After six months, 43 percent of those in the remote telehealth services group had received genetic services, compared to just 15 percent in the usual care group.
Dr. Henderson highlighted that 10 percent of participants who completed genetic testing in the telehealth group yielded actionable results. She emphasized the critical need for better access to genetic services to improve outcomes for childhood cancer survivors. While remote integration with primary care is effective, she noted that further efforts are needed to motivate survivors for testing, such as personalized decision aids, enhanced education, and financial support.