Pathways to Precision Cancer Care: Integrating Genetic Services into a Nationwide, Virtual Cancer Screening and Support Program
Author(s)
Cynthia L. Neben, PhD1, Kelly Tangney, MS, CGC2, Anjali D. Zimmer, PhD1, Scott Topper, PhD, FACMG3.
1Scientific Affairs, Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA, 2Genetic Counseling Services, Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA, 3Clinical Operations, Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA.
1Scientific Affairs, Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA, 2Genetic Counseling Services, Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA, 3Clinical Operations, Color Health, Burlingame, CA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Many common cancers are driven by hereditary risk factors, but primary care providers often do not have the time or expertise to provide personalized care based on genetic risk. We assessed a risk-informed approach to cancer screening via a telemedicine-based virtual cancer screening and support program. We describe the program’s implementation, demographics, and health outcomes of the first 5,175 participants.
METHODS: Patients self-selected into the program as a part of their employer-sponsored healthcare. Those eligible for genetic testing were ordered at-home tests for 29 hereditary cancer genes. Results and a risk-adjusted screening plan were returned to participants, with follow-up support for further at-home testing or in-person evaluations.
RESULTS: The majority of participants were assigned female at birth (58.8%) and white (56.0%); median age was 42. Participants were located in 48 states. A total of 1,711 participants completed genetic testing (4.7% positive rate). Of those, 339 participants completed a physician consultation, and 110 participants had a genetic counseling appointment. 59 participants with positive results had gaps in genetics-informed cancer screening, and the program provided follow-up consults and scheduled screenings for 15 of them, including 3 mammograms, 9 breast MRIs, 3 upper endoscopies, 3 colonoscopies, and 3 at-home PSA tests. The program also made 9 referrals to local high-risk specialists. 80% of participant survey respondents reported excellent experience with their program care, and 80% would recommend the program’s services to others.
CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a virtual, personalized cancer management model enables broad access to risk assessment and an efficient and effective mechanism to drive follow-up care. Integrating genetics into such a program enables a novel access point to comprehensive cancer risk assessment. Making supplemental services available, such as care advocates and navigators, can also help minimize health system burden and expedite risk-adjusted cancer screening and prevention.
METHODS: Patients self-selected into the program as a part of their employer-sponsored healthcare. Those eligible for genetic testing were ordered at-home tests for 29 hereditary cancer genes. Results and a risk-adjusted screening plan were returned to participants, with follow-up support for further at-home testing or in-person evaluations.
RESULTS: The majority of participants were assigned female at birth (58.8%) and white (56.0%); median age was 42. Participants were located in 48 states. A total of 1,711 participants completed genetic testing (4.7% positive rate). Of those, 339 participants completed a physician consultation, and 110 participants had a genetic counseling appointment. 59 participants with positive results had gaps in genetics-informed cancer screening, and the program provided follow-up consults and scheduled screenings for 15 of them, including 3 mammograms, 9 breast MRIs, 3 upper endoscopies, 3 colonoscopies, and 3 at-home PSA tests. The program also made 9 referrals to local high-risk specialists. 80% of participant survey respondents reported excellent experience with their program care, and 80% would recommend the program’s services to others.
CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a virtual, personalized cancer management model enables broad access to risk assessment and an efficient and effective mechanism to drive follow-up care. Integrating genetics into such a program enables a novel access point to comprehensive cancer risk assessment. Making supplemental services available, such as care advocates and navigators, can also help minimize health system burden and expedite risk-adjusted cancer screening and prevention.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
CO134
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Topic Subcategory
Clinician Reported Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Oncology, STA: Personalized & Precision Medicine