OREANDA-NEWS. December 12, 2012. World-class investigators affiliated with US Oncology Research participated in studies that will be presented at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center during the 2012 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), an international scientific symposium for interaction and exchange among basic scientists and clinicians in breast cancer, reported the press-centre of McKesson.   

Lucy Langer, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist with Compass Oncology and national co-medical director of Cancer Genetics for The US Oncology Network, is lead author of a study titled, “A Structured Genetic Risk Evaluation and Testing Program in the Community Oncology Practice Increases Identification of Individuals at Risk for BRCA Mutations.” Study findings will be presented during Poster Session 4 on Fri., Dec. 7 from 7-9am and will provide an in-depth look at the impact of a structured Genetic Risk Evaluation and Testing program on identification of at-risk individuals and appropriate utilization of genetics resources.

“This report really emphasizes just how important it is to implement a structured approach to genetics in the community,” said Dr. Langer, who is also medical director for the Compass Oncology Genetic Risk Evaluation and Testing Program (G.R.E.A.T.). “Without structure, identification of at-risk patients is purely ad-hoc, and the ad-hoc process misses many patients. It is not a stretch to say that treatment of cancer now, and more so in the very near future, requires the appropriate identification of mutation carriers, since we now know that outcomes and treatment response in ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and probably even breast cancer are driven by the hereditary mutations that likely caused the cancer in the first place. We can’t rely on an ad-hoc process any longer.”

In the Compass Oncology G.R.E.A.T. Program, which is part of The US Oncology Network, the team uses risk calculators and pedigree analysis to evaluate personal and family history and to determine if genetic testing is appropriate. All patients receive counseling about their risk level and steps they can take to reduce risk and detect cancer early. Patients found to harbor deleterious mutations are then given specific recommendations for their mutation and may enroll in the high-risk clinic, which follows them over time.

 “Cancer genetics services should be considered an integral part of the care of the community oncology patient,” added Dr. Langer. “This report shows the impact of implementation of such a program in just our practice, but I believe that the results are applicable to most community oncology practices. I am hopeful that clinicians attending SABCS will recognize their own practices in this poster and return home invigorated to incorporate genetics in improving the care they provide for their patients and their community.”

Additionally, more than 50 US Oncology Research affiliated investigators participated in the studies listed below that will be displayed at the conference. For more information or to interview an investigator, contact US Oncology Research Public Relations Manager, Claire Crye at 281-863-6783.

About US Oncology Research
Supported by McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network, US Oncology Research draws from a network of experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in Phase I through Phase IV oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves more than 85 practices in nearly 250 locations managing more than 225 active trials at any given time. Physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 53,000 patients in over 1,200 trials since inception in 1992 and have contributed to the development of 43 cancer therapies approved by the FDA. For more information call (800) 482-6700, option 4 or visit www.usoncology.com/oncologists.