Differences in Cascade Genetic Testing Among Families With Hereditary Cancer Risk

Category	Detail
Condition	Hereditary Cancer Predisposition
Key Mechanisms	Germline genetic testing informs medical management and enables cascade testing for family members.
Target Population	Individuals with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes and their biological family members.
Care Setting	Diagnostic testing laboratories

Cascade testing is crucial for reducing cancer morbidity and mortality.
Demographic factors influence the uptake of genetic testing among probands.
Lower rates of genetic testing are observed in racial and ethnic minority groups and individuals with lower socioeconomic status.
Free testing policies may increase cascade testing rates among vulnerable populations.
The study assessed demographic, clinical, and economic factors associated with cascade testing uptake.

Identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in probands through genetic testing.

Implement appropriate interventions, including cancer surveillance and risk-reducing surgical procedures for asymptomatic individuals.

Enhance cancer surveillance in individuals with identified pathogenic variants to improve early detection.

Demographic disparities may lead to missed opportunities for cancer prevention in vulnerable populations.

Proband cohort undergoing mutigene panel testing for hereditary cancer genes.

Uptake of cascade testing varies by demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors.

Encourage family members of probands to undergo genetic testing after identification of a pathogenic variant.
Utilize free testing policies to improve cascade testing rates.

Clinical Scorecard: Variations in Cascade Genetic Testing Practices in Families at Risk for Hereditary Cancer