Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators
Abstract Background People at risk of developing hereditary cancers associated with Lynch Syndrome (LS) can be identified through universal screening of colorectal tumors. However, tumor screening practices are variable across Canada and few studies explore the perspectives of genetic counselors and...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
2019-07-01
|
Series: | Cancer Medicine |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.2182 |
id |
doaj-d505b81026e84773b564e3586dee13af |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-d505b81026e84773b564e3586dee13af2020-11-25T01:30:15ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342019-07-01873614362210.1002/cam4.2182Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitatorsElizabeth Dicks0Daryl Pullman1Ken Kao2Andrée MacMillan3Gabrielle S. Logan4Charlene Simmonds5Holly Etchegary6Faculty of Medicine Memorial University St. John’s NL CanadaFaculty of Medicine Memorial University St. John’s NL CanadaFaculty of Medicine Memorial University St. John’s NL CanadaProvincial Medical Genetics Program Eastern Regional Health Authority St. John’s NL CanadaFaculty of Medicine Memorial University St. John’s NL CanadaFaculty of Medicine Memorial University St. John’s NL CanadaFaculty of Medicine Memorial University St. John’s NL CanadaAbstract Background People at risk of developing hereditary cancers associated with Lynch Syndrome (LS) can be identified through universal screening of colorectal tumors. However, tumor screening practices are variable across Canada and few studies explore the perspectives of genetic counselors and pathologists about tumor screening. This study was conducted to better understand the barriers and facilitators of implementing universal tumor screening in health centers across Canada. Methods An online survey about tumor screening programs was administered to genetic counselors and pathologists across Canada through communication channels of professional organizations. It was hosted on SurveyMonkey and accessible from October 2016 to March 2017. Results Barriers to tumor screening included a lack of sustainable resources, including funding and genetic counselors. Respondents strongly identified the need for a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach to program planning with the “right people at the table.” Respondents currently with a screening program provided advice such as carefully designing the program structure, developing patient and family follow‐up protocols, and ensuring adequate resources (funding, staff, training for providers) were available prior to program initiation. Conclusion There is no national approach to universal tumor screening in Canada. However, future efforts can be informed by the experiences of those centers that have already created a universal tumor screening program for LS. These data suggest the need for an interdisciplinary approach, initial and sustained funding, and careful advanced planning of program structures and policies.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.2182Colorectal Neoplasmstumor screeninggenetic counselingLynch syndromepathologists |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Elizabeth Dicks Daryl Pullman Ken Kao Andrée MacMillan Gabrielle S. Logan Charlene Simmonds Holly Etchegary |
spellingShingle |
Elizabeth Dicks Daryl Pullman Ken Kao Andrée MacMillan Gabrielle S. Logan Charlene Simmonds Holly Etchegary Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators Cancer Medicine Colorectal Neoplasms tumor screening genetic counseling Lynch syndrome pathologists |
author_facet |
Elizabeth Dicks Daryl Pullman Ken Kao Andrée MacMillan Gabrielle S. Logan Charlene Simmonds Holly Etchegary |
author_sort |
Elizabeth Dicks |
title |
Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators |
title_short |
Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators |
title_full |
Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators |
title_fullStr |
Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators |
title_full_unstemmed |
Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators |
title_sort |
universal tumor screening for lynch syndrome: perceptions of canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators |
publisher |
Wiley |
series |
Cancer Medicine |
issn |
2045-7634 |
publishDate |
2019-07-01 |
description |
Abstract Background People at risk of developing hereditary cancers associated with Lynch Syndrome (LS) can be identified through universal screening of colorectal tumors. However, tumor screening practices are variable across Canada and few studies explore the perspectives of genetic counselors and pathologists about tumor screening. This study was conducted to better understand the barriers and facilitators of implementing universal tumor screening in health centers across Canada. Methods An online survey about tumor screening programs was administered to genetic counselors and pathologists across Canada through communication channels of professional organizations. It was hosted on SurveyMonkey and accessible from October 2016 to March 2017. Results Barriers to tumor screening included a lack of sustainable resources, including funding and genetic counselors. Respondents strongly identified the need for a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach to program planning with the “right people at the table.” Respondents currently with a screening program provided advice such as carefully designing the program structure, developing patient and family follow‐up protocols, and ensuring adequate resources (funding, staff, training for providers) were available prior to program initiation. Conclusion There is no national approach to universal tumor screening in Canada. However, future efforts can be informed by the experiences of those centers that have already created a universal tumor screening program for LS. These data suggest the need for an interdisciplinary approach, initial and sustained funding, and careful advanced planning of program structures and policies. |
topic |
Colorectal Neoplasms tumor screening genetic counseling Lynch syndrome pathologists |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.2182 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT elizabethdicks universaltumorscreeningforlynchsyndromeperceptionsofcanadianpathologistsandgeneticcounselorsofbarriersandfacilitators AT darylpullman universaltumorscreeningforlynchsyndromeperceptionsofcanadianpathologistsandgeneticcounselorsofbarriersandfacilitators AT kenkao universaltumorscreeningforlynchsyndromeperceptionsofcanadianpathologistsandgeneticcounselorsofbarriersandfacilitators AT andreemacmillan universaltumorscreeningforlynchsyndromeperceptionsofcanadianpathologistsandgeneticcounselorsofbarriersandfacilitators AT gabrielleslogan universaltumorscreeningforlynchsyndromeperceptionsofcanadianpathologistsandgeneticcounselorsofbarriersandfacilitators AT charlenesimmonds universaltumorscreeningforlynchsyndromeperceptionsofcanadianpathologistsandgeneticcounselorsofbarriersandfacilitators AT hollyetchegary universaltumorscreeningforlynchsyndromeperceptionsofcanadianpathologistsandgeneticcounselorsofbarriersandfacilitators |
_version_ |
1725092607728549888 |