Hereditary Neoplastic Syndrome

This clinical trial tests whether various web-based tools can help improve communication about hereditary cancer risk in families and decrease barriers to genetic testing for relatives of patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. Between 5% and 10% of all cancers are caused by genetic changes that are hereditary, which means that they run in families. Some kinds of cancer or certain cancers diagnosed in biological relatives may mean patients are more likely to have a genetic change. Once a genetic change is identified in a family, other biological relatives can choose to undergo testing themselves to better understand their cancer risk. The uptake of genetic testing in other biological relatives once a genetic condition is identified is about 20% to 30%. The Cascade Genetic Testing Platform is a virtual tool that seeks to overcome barriers related to logistics of family communication and improve dissemination of genetic testing information which is clinically actionable for individuals at highest risk for cancer. Using the Cascade Genetic Testing Platform may improve ways to share information about hereditary risk with biological relatives.

This clinical trial studies whether a web-based program, Kindred, works to improve the understanding of genetic cancer risk and cancer genetic testing in African American families. Between 5% and 10% of all cancers are caused by genetic changes that are hereditary, which means that they run in families. Some kinds of cancer or a family history of cancer means individuals are more likely to have a genetic change. If a genetic change is identified in a family, other relatives can choose to undergo hereditary cancer genetic testing to better understand their cancer risk. In families where a genetic change is not identified, or results are uncertain, relatives may also benefit from discussing their cancer risk with providers and, in some cases, getting hereditary cancer genetic testing themselves. Research has shown that African Americans are less likely than other racial groups to engage in cancer genetic testing. Kindred is an online tool that provides information so individuals can learn about their cancer genetic test results, how cancer genetic testing can help individuals and families understand their overall cancer risk (and strategies for reducing risk), and ways to talk with each other about cancer risk and health. This may be an effective way to improve the understanding of genetic cancer risk and cancer genetic testing in African American families.

This clinical trial tests next generation sequencing (NGS) for the detection of precursor features of pre-myeloid cancers and bone marrow failure syndromes. NGS is a procedure that looks at relevant cancer associated genes and what they do. Finding genetic markers for pre-malignant conditions may help identify patients who are at risk of pre-myeloid cancers and bone marrow failure syndromes and lead to earlier intervention.

This trial examines approaches to identify and care for individuals with inherited cancer syndrome. The purpose of this study is to offer no cost genetic testing to the general public. Researchers hope to learn the value of providing broad, public-wide testing for high risk cancer types (like hereditary breast and ovarian cancer or Lynch syndromes) instead of only testing people whose families are known to be high risk.