A recent clinical trial has found that using telehealth to deliver genetic services increases access to genetic counseling and testing for adult survivors of childhood cancers. The study, published in Lancet Regional Health – Americas, highlights that these survivors face a higher risk of developing new cancers such as breast, colorectal, sarcomas, and thyroid cancer—not just relapses of their original illness. While previous cancer treatments are a major factor in this increased risk, up to 13 percent of survivors also have hereditary predispositions.
“Identifying survivors with cancer-predisposing genetic variants allows personalized survivorship care with early screenings and preventive measures,” said Tara Henderson, MD, MPH. Dr. Henderson is the Chair of Pediatrics at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Our study is the first national randomized trial to show that remote telehealth services, working with primary care providers, improve access to genetic counseling and testing for adult survivors of childhood cancers. Genetic services also drive earlier detection of subsequent cancer, which reduces morbidity and mortality.”
The clinical trial included 391 participants with an average age of 44 years. All received information about the benefits of genetic testing. Six months into the study, 43 percent in the telehealth group had accessed genetic services compared to 15 percent in the usual care group.
“Notably, 10 percent of participants who completed genetic testing in the telehealth group had actionable results, which underscores the significant impact of this intervention for the survivors and their families,” Dr. Henderson said. “Better access to genetic services is critical for improving outcomes in childhood cancer survivors. We show that integrating remote genetic services in primary care works well, although more survivors still need to pursue genetic testing. Enhancing motivation for testing may require personalized decision aids, further education about its benefits, and financial support mechanisms to reduce concerns about testing costs.”
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing specialized pediatric care across more than 70 specialties and subspecialties (official website). The hospital operates a main campus in downtown Chicago along with outpatient centers throughout the region (official website). It serves as the main pediatric teaching affiliate for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (official website) and conducts research through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute focused on advancing child health.
Lurie Children’s emphasizes family-centered care that addresses medical as well as emotional needs (official website). The hospital consistently receives national recognition from U.S. News & World Report for excellence across various pediatric specialties (official website).
