Highlights
Advancing Genomic Cancer Medicine in Rural and Underserved States
From the article: "In the evolving landscape of oncology, the integration of powerful genomic technologies into practice has ushered in a new era of precision cancer medicine. Complex genomic information such as mutational analyses, transcriptional signatures, and polygenic risk scores have become key diagnostics guiding therapeutic decisions and management of inherited cancer risk. However, the expertise to interpret these data for clinical decision-making remains constrained and is a significant challenge for community oncologists, especially those in rural regions and in medically underserved areas. While physical access to these tests is readily available, poor access to interpretive expertise has become the key limiting factor. "
Ensuring best practice in genomics education: A scoping review of genomics education needs assessments and evaluations
From the abstract: " A health workforce capable of implementing genomic medicine requires effective genomics education. Genomics education interventions developed for health professions over the last two decades, and their impact, are variably described in the literature. To inform an evaluation framework for genomics education, we undertook an exploratory scoping review of published needs assessments for, and/or evaluations of, genomics education interventions for health professionals from 2000 to 2023. "
Written communication of whole genome sequencing results in the NHS Genomic Medicine Service: a multi-centre service evaluation
From the abstract: " Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is being used in diagnostic testing for certain clinical indications within the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) in England. Letter writing is an integral part of delivering results. However, no national guidelines for writing results from WGS exist. This multi-centre service evaluation used mixed methods to understand the content and readability of letters returning diagnostic, variant of uncertain significance (VUS), and no-finding results to paediatric rare disease patients. "
The acceptability and clinical impact of using polygenic scores for risk-estimation of common cancers in primary care: a systematic review
From the abstract: "A total of 190 papers were identified, 18 of which were eligible for inclusion. A cancer risk-assessment tool incorporating PGS was acceptable to the general practice population and their healthcare providers but major challenges to implementation were identified, including lack of evidence for PGS in non-European ancestry and a need for healthcare provider education in genomic medicine. A PGS cancer risk-assessment had relatively limited impact on psychosocial outcomes and health behaviours. However, for prostate cancer, potential applications for its use in primary care were shown. "
