Less than seven per cent of Ontario women with the most common type of ovarian cancer were seen for genetics consultation within two years of diagnosis, despite its high potential for life-saving benefits, a new cohort study has shown.<\/p>\n
Women at the highest risk of developing high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) are those with a mutation in their BRCA (tumour suppression) genes – which can be identified through genetics consultation. Despite the province’s expanding genetic counselling eligibility in 2001 to all women with HGSC ovarian cancer, consultation rates remain low.<\/p>\n
The study from Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) Western<\/span> site in London, Ontario, examined administrative data of the 5412 patients with HGSC ovarian cancer in Ontario between 1997 and 2011. While the rates of those who were seen by a genetic counsellor rose over the time period peaking at 13.3 per cent in 2011, the numbers remain well below where the study authors believe they should be.<\/p>\n "These numbers show that no matter what centre you are in, there have to be better interventions to help patients see a genetic counsellor,” said Dr. Jacob McGee, associate professor at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Lawson scientist, and the study’s lead author. “This is something absolutely worth doing because of the impact it has for both the patient's current treatment and in preventing ovarian cancer cases down the road."<\/p>\n The identification of a BRCA mutation in an affected individual allows for consideration of treatment with a PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase) inhibitor, a new class of medication found to be beneficial for women with this mutation. It also allows for testing for family members, where the finding of a genetic mutation may be followed by interventions including surgically removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which has been shown to drastically reduce mortality rates. For women with the BRCA mutation, there is a 50 per cent chance that they will pass that mutation on to their children and grandchildren.<\/p>\n The study’s authors point to an intervention at London Health Sciences Centre’s London Regional Cancer Centre (LRCP) that has increased the rate of consultation in London to well above the provincial average. The genetics referral process for patients with HGSC was altered from an ‘opt-in’ to an ‘opt-out’ process. This involves automatically forwarding the list of new HGSC ovarian cancer patients to the cancer genetics clinic through an advance directive. Seeing a genetic counsellor or geneticist becomes the default, with patients stepping outside of the referral process only if there physician cancels the consultation with genetics. In the first year of implementation, 77 per cent of patients at LRCP diagnosed with HGSC completed genetics consultation.<\/p>\n “This process has been surprisingly easy to implement, and we think it could be a good fit for other centres across the province,” said McGee.<\/p>\n ABOUT WESTERN<\/strong> ABOUT THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY <\/strong>The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.<\/em><\/p>\n Follow Western Media Relations online: <\/p>\n Website: http:\/\/communications.uwo.ca\/media\/<\/a> ABOUT LAWSON HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE<\/strong><\/p>\n As the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Healthcare London, and working in partnership with Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute is committed to furthering scientific knowledge to advance healthcare around the world. Follow Lawson News online: The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES)<\/em><\/span> is an independent, non-profit organization that uses population-based health information to produce knowledge on a broad range of healthcare issues. Our unbiased evidence provides measures of health system performance, a clearer understanding of the shifting healthcare needs of Ontarians, and a stimulus for discussion of practical solutions to optimize scarce resources. ICES knowledge is highly regarded in Canada and abroad, and is widely used by government, hospitals, planners, and practitioners to make decisions about care delivery and to develop policy. For the latest ICES news, follow us on Twitter: @ICESOntario<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Deborah Creatura Crystal Mackay Less than seven per cent of Ontario women with the most common type of ovarian cancer were seen for genetics consultation within two years of diagnosis, despite its high potential for life-saving benefits, a new cohort study has shown. Women at the highest risk of developing high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) are those with a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","migration-helper-automated":[],"migration-manual":[],"topic":[38,21],"class_list":["post-7569","news_release","type-news_release","status-publish","hentry","topic-cancer-and-cancer-screening","topic-women-or-gender-based-research"],"acf":{"infographic":[0],"journal_article":[3580],"research_report":[],"atlas":[],"research_program":[],"site":[],"ices_scientist":[],"announce_or_event":[],"video":[],"iitn_type":false,"iitn_title":"Genetic testing rates for ovarian cancer remain low across Ontario","iitn_short_title":"","iitn_source_link_url":"http:\/\/london.ctvnews.ca\/video?clipId=1088941","iitn_source_link_text":"CTV London","sitecore_item_id":"50450F2E-DD91-4A62-98CB-77A59B8E0F10","sitecore_item_name":"Genetic-testing-rates-for-ovarian-cancer-remain-low-across-Ontario","sitecore_field_values":"{\n \"Content\": \" Less than seven per cent of Ontario women with the most common type of ovarian cancer were seen for genetics consultation within two years of diagnosis, despite its high potential for life-saving benefits, a new cohort study has shown.<\/p>n Women at the highest risk of developing high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) are those with a mutation in their BRCA (tumour suppression) genes - which can be identified through genetics consultation. Despite the province’s expanding genetic counselling eligibility in 2001 to all women with HGSC ovarian cancer, consultation rates remain low.<\/p>n The study from Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) Western<\/span> site in London, Ontario, examined administrative data of the 5412 patients with HGSC ovarian cancer in Ontario between 1997 and 2011. While the rates of those who were seen by a genetic counsellor rose over the time period peaking at 13.3 per cent in 2011, the numbers remain well below where the study authors believe they should be.<\/p>n \"These numbers show that no matter what centre you are in, there have to be better interventions to help patients see a genetic counsellor,” said Dr. Jacob McGee, associate professor at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Lawson scientist, and the study’s lead author. “This is something absolutely worth doing because of the impact it has for both the patient's current treatment and in preventing ovarian cancer cases down the road.\"<\/p>n The identification of a BRCA mutation in an affected individual allows for consideration of treatment with a PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase) inhibitor, a new class of medication found to be beneficial for women with this mutation. It also allows for testing for family members, where the finding of a genetic mutation may be followed by interventions including surgically removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which has been shown to drastically reduce mortality rates. For women with the BRCA mutation, there is a 50 per cent chance that they will pass that mutation on to their children and grandchildren.<\/p>n The study’s authors point to an intervention at London Health Sciences Centre’s London Regional Cancer Centre (LRCP) that has increased the rate of consultation in London to well above the provincial average. The genetics referral process for patients with HGSC was altered from an ‘opt-in’ to an ‘opt-out’ process. This involves automatically forwarding the list of new HGSC ovarian cancer patients to the cancer genetics clinic through an advance directive. Seeing a genetic counsellor or geneticist becomes the default, with patients stepping outside of the referral process only if there physician cancels the consultation with genetics. In the first year of implementation, 77 per cent of patients at LRCP diagnosed with HGSC completed genetics consultation.<\/p>n “This process has been surprisingly easy to implement, and we think it could be a good fit for other centres across the province,” said McGee.<\/p>n ABOUT WESTERN<\/strong> ABOUT THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY <\/strong>The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.<\/em><\/p>n Follow Western Media Relations online: <\/p>n Website: http:\/\/communications.uwo.ca\/media\/<\/a> ABOUT LAWSON HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE<\/strong><\/p>n As the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Healthcare London, and working in partnership with Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute is committed to furthering scientific knowledge to advance healthcare around the world.nwww.lawsonresearch.ca<\/a><\/em><\/p>n Follow Lawson News online: The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES)<\/em><\/span> is an independent, non-profit organization that uses population-based health information to produce knowledge on a broad range of healthcare issues. Our unbiased evidence provides measures of health system performance, a clearer understanding of the shifting healthcare needs of Ontarians, and a stimulus for discussion of practical solutions to optimize scarce resources. ICES knowledge is highly regarded in Canada and abroad, and is widely used by government, hospitals, planners, and practitioners to make decisions about care delivery and to develop policy. For the latest ICES news, follow us on Twitter: @ICESOntario<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>n Deborah Creatura Crystal Mackay
\nWestern University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRSS: http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/MediaWesternU<\/a>
\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/mediawesternu<\/a><\/p>\n
\nwww.lawsonresearch.ca<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nWebsite: https:\/\/www.lawsonresearch.ca\/news-events<\/a>
\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/lawsonresearch<\/a>
\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lawsonhealthresearchinstitute\/<\/a><\/p>\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:<\/h2>\n
\nMedia Advisor, ICES
\ndeborah.creatura@ices.on.ca<\/a>
\n(o) 416-480-4780 or (c) 647-406-5996<\/p>\n
\nMedia Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
\nt. 519.661.2111 ext. 80387, c. 519.933.5944
\ncrystal.mackay@schulich.uwo.ca<\/a>
\n@CrystalMackay<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
nWestern University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.<\/em><\/p>n
nRSS: http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/MediaWesternU<\/a>
nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/mediawesternu<\/a><\/p>n
nWebsite: https:\/\/www.lawsonresearch.ca\/news-events<\/a>
nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/lawsonresearch<\/a>
nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lawsonhealthresearchinstitute\/<\/a><\/p>nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:<\/h2>n
nMedia Advisor, ICES
ndeborah.creatura@ices.on.ca<\/a>
n(o) 416-480-4780 or (c) 647-406-5996<\/p>n
nMedia Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
nt. 519.661.2111 ext. 80387, c. 519.933.5944
ncrystal.mackay@schulich.uwo.ca<\/a>
n@CrystalMackay<\/a><\/p>\",\n \"Title\": \"Genetic testing rates for ovarian cancer remain low across Ontario\",\n \"Short title\": \"Genetic testing rates for\",\n \"Teaser image\": \"