Partner • Prevent • Advocate • Survive JOIN NOW

Genomics

Genomics is the study of the complete genetic material, including genes and their functions, of an organism. Current public health efforts focus specifically on Lynch Syndrome and Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC) due to mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. According to most recent estimates, 55-65% of women will inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation and around 45% of women will inherit BRCA2 mutation will develop cancer by age 70. Among those with Lynch syndrome, the lifetime risk of colorectal and uterine cancers vary widely depending on the specific mutation(s) and can be as high as 71%.


Strategy AEducate patients and healthcare providers on heritable cancers caused by HBOC and/or Lynch Syndrome and the appropriate use of associated genetic counseling, testing, and risk management services.

Who is addressing this strategy and how is UCAN partnering?
– Utah Department of Health (UDOH): UDOH is working with a number of community partners including health care systems, universities, and nonprofit organizations to increase utilization, improve insurance coverage of these services, and increase education about HBOC and Lynch Syndrome.

– Huntsman Cancer Institute and Intermountain Healthcare have instituted tumor screening protocols to assess for Lynch syndrome in all resected colon and endometrial cancers. Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute are pursuing multiple studies to further define the cancer risks associated with genetic mutations conferring. mild/moderate cancer risks and to assess patient understanding of, desire for, and medical management impact of this type of genetic information.

UCAN’s supports the organizations working to increase awareness of genetic mutations and appropriate use of genetic counseling as well research efforts to expand cancer genomics knowledge of genetic factors that increase cancer risk.

  • Offer professional education workshops and presentations to healthcare clinicians.
  • Develop and promote an educational web page on genetic counseling, testing, and risk management services associated with HBOC and Lynch Syndrome for patients and providers.
  • Implement an intervention to increase family communication regarding heritable breast, ovarian, colorectal, or uterine cancers associated with HBOC and Lynch Syndrome and encourage cascade screening for these conditions.


Who is addressing this strategy and how is UCAN partnering?
– Utah Department of Health (UDOH): UDOH is working with a number of community partners including health care systems, universities, and nonprofit organizations to increase utilization, improve insurance coverage of these services, and increase education about HBOC and Lynch Syndrome.

– Huntsman Cancer Institute and Intermountain Healthcare have instituted tumor screening protocols to assess for Lynch syndrome in all resected colon and endometrial cancers. Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute are pursuing multiple studies to further define the cancer risks associated with genetic mutations conferring. mild/moderate cancer risks and to assess patient understanding of, desire for, and medical management impact of this type of genetic information.

UCAN’s supports the organizations working to increase awareness of genetic mutations and appropriate use of genetic counseling as well research efforts to expand cancer genomics knowledge of genetic factors that increase cancer risk.

  • Assess the incidence and mortality of breast, ovarian, colorectal, and uterine cancers indicative of HBOC and Lynch Syndrome.
  • Assess the proportion of the Utah population potentially at risk of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, or uterine cancer due to deleterious HBOC and Lynch Syndrome based on guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
  • Assess Utahns’ attitudes and behaviors associated with HBOC and Lynch Syndrome through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Click to Expand

Who is addressing this strategy and how is UCAN partnering?
– Utah Department of Health (UDOH): UDOH is working with a number of community partners including health care systems, universities, and nonprofit organizations to increase utilization, improve insurance coverage of these services, and increase education about HBOC and Lynch Syndrome.

– Huntsman Cancer Institute and Intermountain Healthcare have instituted tumor screening protocols to assess for Lynch syndrome in all resected colon and endometrial cancers. Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute are pursuing multiple studies to further define the cancer risks associated with genetic mutations conferring. mild/moderate cancer risks and to assess patient understanding of, desire for, and medical management impact of this type of genetic information.

UCAN’s supports the organizations working to increase awareness of genetic mutations and appropriate use of genetic counseling as well research efforts to expand cancer genomics knowledge of genetic factors that increase cancer risk.

  • Offer opportunities for healthcare providers to consult with genetic counselors on specific patient cases regarding need for genetic services, referrals, or risk management for patients at increased risk of developing a heritable breast, ovarian, colorectal, or uterine cancer.
  • Assess the availability and usability of family history and genetic testing information in cancer patients’ medical records to determine the feasibility of regularly including this information in surveillance data sources.
  • Develop programs to cover genetic services and risk management services for low-income populations at risk of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, or uterine cancers due to HBOC and Lynch Syndrome.
  • Improve insurance coverage of genetic counseling, testing, and risk management services for individuals at risk of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, or uterine cancers due to HBOC and Lynch Syndrome.

Click to Expand