Recent advances in genetic testing mean more patients can adopt strategies to prevent disease or detect it early.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you are at risk for a condition that appears to “run in the family,” then genetic testing might be a suitable option for you. Genetic tests, also known as genetic screenings, are used to determine a person’s risk of contracting certain hereditary diseases. Most tests involve taking a sample of the patient’s skin, blood, hair, urine or saliva for analysis.
According to Ora Gordon, MD, Regional Medical Director of Providence’s Clinical Genetics and Genomics Program, genetic testing has entered a new phase that allows many more people to benefit from the technology. We asked Dr. Gordon to explain a new test that assesses cancer risk, as well as discuss other advances in genetic and genomic testing.
What are the benefits of undergoing genetic testing?
Through genetic testing, I can really empower my patients and use every tool available for what I call “precision prevention.” People may be at higher risk for a disease on the basis of their family history or something within their own personal history. We help to assess that with genetic testing. Genetic testing can impact everyday patient care, including what patients are at risk for, how we best treat them and the best medications for the condition.
What do genetic counselors do?
I was a genetic counselor before attending medical school, so I appreciate how valuable these allied health professionals are to the work. Genetic counselors are an extraordinary asset to any health system, and to physicians and patients. They take really complicated information and translate it in a way that empowers patients to take care of themselves. Furthermore, physicians feel better equipped to care for their patients.
Is genetic testing more accessible now?
Genetic testing used to be very expensive, time-consuming and limited in scope. Now, for example, we can test for more than 100 cancer genes at once at a cost of no more than $250 for patients who do not have health insurance. If we can identify somebody at risk before they’ve had cancer, that is an opportunity. That is the power of genetic information: To be preventive. That’s the home run.
Is there anything new in early cancer detection?
Yes, the Galleri test is a blood test looking for 50 types of cancer at once. Often referred to as a liquid biopsy, the test looks at your blood for DNA that is associated with cancer cells. This test is unique in that it can detect not only cancer, but also the tissue or organ the cancer is coming from. It’s really designed for someone who has not had cancer. It’s intended to help identify early-stage cancer, particularly cancers that are not part of any routine screening.
Does Providence offer this test?
The test is commercially available; however, it is not routinely covered by insurance at this time. Providence patients are offered special reduced pricing because Providence is involved in an outcomes-research registry to learn more about this test. Patients who are at high risk for cancer--either because they have an inherited risk or are long-term cancer survivors--can enroll in a separate outcomes study that is being conducted by Providence to receive the test. Those patients can receive the Galleri test at no charge. We ask our Providence providers to encourage patients to enroll in the registry, because we’re all learning. We need real-world evidence. What happens when you put the test into practice? There are still questions to be answered.
As we expand our genomics offerings, we are looking for innovative partners who share our vision of integrating genomics into personalized and predictive care for all. For information about Providence’s genomic research and initiatives, visit genomics.providence.org.
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