In order to help families benefit from precision medicine, several professional medical organizations and patient advocacy groups have collaborated to develop a resource for healthcare providers and patients concerned with gynecologic cancers.
The Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) convened experts from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), National Society of Genetic Counselors, Bright Pink and Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), to develop the SGO Genetics Toolkit.
This unique partnership has resulted in a web-based resource addressing real and common issues surrounding hereditary risk assessment and genetic testing in women with or worried about gynecologic cancers.
"Identifying families who may have an inherited risk factor to develop cancer leads to potentially life-saving early detection, risk reduction, and prevention strategies," said gynecologic oncologist Bethan Powell, MD, who led the collaborative effort. "Once a hereditary risk factor is identified, families may use this powerful knowledge to seek tailored action plans to help protect their health and improve outcomes."
The toolkit includes a series of vignettes designed to help providers and patients understand the implications of a genetic test result for themselves and other members of their family. The toolkit dispels some common misconceptions around the genetics of gynecologic cancers and sheds light on often overlooked nuances of cancer genetic testing while also introducing resources to help families adjust and adapt to results of genetic tests.
"It is unique to have this many organizations come together with one goal in mind: to empower patients and providers to work together to improve health," said SGO President Jeffrey M. Fowler, MD. "The efforts of these organizations demonstrate the value that can be achieved when patients and providers work together to create a meaningful resource."
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