Abstract
e22530 Background: Germline genetic testing is universally recommended for patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer (PC). Pretest consultation with a genetics professional is recommended to ensure patients are informed about risks, benefits, and limitations of testing. This is a resource intensive process and is associated with a suboptimal testing rate (~30%). Prior work demonstrates that video-assisted pre-test education does not increase patient anxiety compared to traditional pre-test genetic counseling in peridiagnostic ovarian cancer patients. In this report, we assess the feasibility of using a similar video assisted, streamlined genetic education and testing approach in peridiagnostic PC patients. Methods: As part of a pilot quality improvement initiative, patients with a diagnosis of exocrine PC seen in a single academic practice were offered streamlined, video-assisted genetic education followed by germline testing. Patient eligibility for this pilot included: new diagnosis or radiographic suspicion of PC; English language proficiency; and no prior germline testing. After this approach was presented by the medical oncology team, eligible patients viewed a 9-minute educational video describing the goals, pros, and cons of germline genetic testing. After watching the video, patients were given the option to proceed with testing that day. Patients with pathogenic mutations were referred for formal post-test genetic counseling, and patients with variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) were referred on a case-by-case basis. Following IRB approval, we conducted a retrospective review of the experience of all patients presenting to this pilot site from April-Dec 2023. Results: During the study period, 56 new patients with exocrine PC presented to the pilot site. 50 patients were eligible for participating in the pilot program. All patients, except one who declined on the basis of transferring care, consented to testing (49/50; 98%). Median patient age was 71, 49% were female. Race distribution was: White (30), Asian (6), Black (4), Other (2), Declined (7). Median time from patient diagnosis to testing was 11 days. One patient had a germline ATM mutation, and this patient was seen for formal posttest counseling 18 days after testing was initiated. Seven patients had VUSs. Six new patients presenting during the study period were not eligible for this pilot, all due to limited English proficiency. All 6 of these patients underwent genetic testing after translation service assisted counseling by either the primary oncology or cancer genetics team. Conclusions: Video assisted point-of-care genetics education and testing led to nearly universal uptake of genetic testing in peridiagnostic PC patients. This workflow was feasible, timely, and optimized use of genetic counseling resources.
Published Version
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