Cancer Family History Near Life's Ending

What is it about?

we report on the prevalence of hereditary cancer risk among cancer patients receiving palliative care consultations, and cancer patients’ attitudes toward discussions related to family history within palliative care services. Our data suggest that physicians’ attention to the family implications of cancer in their patients remains an area for work in need of improvement. Twenty-four patients of 75 (32%) met the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (ACMG-NSGC) criteria for genetics referral, ~11% greater than the 21% found in an earlier pilot study (Quillin 2010), with minimal chart evidence by standardized review of consideration, referral, or discussion about genetic testing by oncology services. None of them had been referred to genetics, essentially.

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Why is it important?

Our research highlights significant potential missed “upstream” opportunities in cancer prevention and underscores the clinical relevance of family history in cancer care. ASCO now recommends palliative care for any patient with advanced cancer within eight weeks of diagnosis. Our study suggests that there is substantial room for improvement in genetic assessments both upstream during cancer treatment and in the oncology-palliative care link.