On-Site Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer Increases Patient Compliance

TUESDAY, Dec. 27, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The implementation of an on-site, guideline-based genetic testing model for prostate cancer patients significantly improves compliance with genetic testing, according to a study published in the January issue of Urology Practice.

Siddharth Ramanathan, from the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Rochester, Michigan, and colleagues examined the benefits of implementing an on-site guideline-based genetic testing process for prostate cancer patients (474 patients; after September 2018) versus off-site swab collection (78 patients; before September 2018).

The researchers observed a statistically significant increase in testing compliance after the implementation of on-site Philadelphia Consensus Conference guideline-based testing. Compliance increased from 33.3 to 98.7 percent, while the time to receive the genetic test results dropped from 38 to 21 days.

"Adopting a guideline-based model with on-site genetic testing improved the ability of urologists to detect germline mutations," a coauthor said in a statement. "The foresight of the urology group to partner with medical oncologists allowed us to better utilize targeted therapies, offer enrollment in clinical trials, and recommend cascade testing for family members, which significantly broadened the scope of care provided to the patient and their families."

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical and immunogenomics industries.

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