Co-Creating a Multilevel Intervention to Enhance Equity in Cancer Genetic Services
Funded by the Washington University Implementation Science Center for Cancer Control
Genetic testing is an increasingly important component of comprehensive cancer care. The presence or absence of specific mutations can help guide treatment selection, increasing survival time and reducing treatment-related morbidity. Additionally, the identification of an inherited mutation can help at-risk family members make informed decisions about their own cancer screening and prevention measures. Despite their growing clinical utility, cancer genetic services do not reach all eligible patients nationally or locally. Data also indicate that Black patients are less likely to receive cancer genetic services than their White peers. Reducing racial disparities in cancer genetic services is critical to achieving health equity in precision oncology.
Project Goals:
- Engage community, clinical, and academic partners to collaboratively review current cancer genetic services and identify appropriate theories, frameworks, and evidence-based interventions.
- Collaboratively design a multilevel intervention prototype and collect stakeholder feedback.
- Develop a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study to test the intervention package and evaluate its implementation in a future funded research grant