If We Build It … Will They Come? – Establishing a Cancer Genetics Services Clinic for an Underserved Predominantly Latina Cohort

• Published in: Journal of genetic counseling Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 505 - 514
• Main Authors: Ricker, Charité, Lagos, Veronica, Feldman, Nancy, Hiyama, Susan, Fuentes, Sue, Kumar, Visanth, Gonzalez, Kelly, Palomares, Melanie, Blazer, Kathleen, Lowstuter, Katrina, MacDonald, Deborah, Weitzel, Jeffrey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Kluwer Academic Publishers‐Plenum Publishers 01.12.2006; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; breast cancer; Cancer; cancer risk assessment; Cohort Studies; Community-Institutional Relations; Demography; disparities; Female; Genetic counseling; Genetic Counseling - methods; Genetic counselling; Genetic disorders; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic screening; Genetic testing; genetics; Health Services Needs and Demand; Health services utilization; hereditary cancer; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Latinas; Latino people; Male; Medically Underserved Area; minorities; Minority & ethnic groups; Needs assessment; Neoplasms - epidemiology; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - prevention & control; outreach; Patient Education as Topic; Preventive Health Services - organization & administration; Risk Assessment; Surveys and Questionnaires; Underserved people; underserved populations; Womens health
• ISSN: 1059-7700; 1573-3599
• DOI: 10.1007/s10897-006-9052-5

Background: Cancer genetic counseling and testing is a standard of care option for appropriate families and can identify individuals at increased risk prior to diagnosis, when prevention or detection strategies are most effective. Despite documented efficacy of cancer risk reduction in high‐risk individuals, underserved and minority individuals have a disproportionate cancer burden and limited access to genetic counseling. Methods: A needs assessment survey documented gaps in knowledge and interest in prevention. Satellite clinics were established at two indigent healthcare systems. Cancer genetics CME lectures were conducted and referral guidelines disseminated to clinicians who referred patients for counseling. Results: An increase in clinician knowledge was demonstrated post‐CME and reflected by quality referrals. Eighty‐eight percent of patients kept their appointments. In the predominantly Latina6 (n=77) clinic population, 71.4% were affected with cancer, and 17 mutation positive families were identified. Preliminary data shows a positive impact on patients' motivation and behavior. The majority has expressed satisfaction and reduction in anxiety. Conclusions: This study demonstrates feasibility and acceptability of cancer genetics services in this population, suggesting the potential to reduce cancer morbidity in underserved, high‐risk families.