Clinical Research Directory

Chatbot Utilization for Pedigree Creation and Cancer Risk Assessment in Cancer Genetic Counseling

This clinical trial studies whether a chatbot can be used to help collect medical history and perform cancer risk assessment among patients undergoing cancer genetic counseling. With the improved cost of genetic testing and growing utilization of genetics in cancer care and risk assessment, there is growing pressure placed on certified genetic counselors. To address this issue, many have turned to artificial intelligence (the branch of computer science that deals with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively) for practical solutions to re-distribute the workload of certified genetic counselors. The chatbot in this trial uses artificial intelligence technology to analyze information provided by the patient during a phone call. The chatbot then generates a family history summary, family tree (pedigree), and cancer risk related assessments, which may help redistribute the workload for the certified genetic counselor and ultimately make genetic counseling more accessible. Using a chatbot may be helpful in collecting medical history and determining cancer risk assessment among patients undergoing cancer genetic counseling.

Provider-Mediated Communication of Genetic Testing Results to At-Risk Relatives of Cancer Patients to Improve Genetic Counseling and Testing Rates, Family HOPE Study

This clinical trial tests whether provider-mediated communication of genetic testing results to at-risk relatives of cancer patients can help improve genetic counseling and testing rates. Approximately 15% of people with cancer have an inherited form of cancer due to changes in a gene that they have inherited from one of their parents. These changes increase a person's risk for developing cancer. Most people who have an inherited harmful change in a cancer risk gene don't know that they have it and are therefore not able to get the health care that they need. The primary reason for this problem has been a lack of genetic counseling and testing for cancer patients and patients with a strong family history of cancer. Another reason for this lack of awareness is that, when cancer runs in a family, the patient who carries the gene change usually has to communicate the genetic risk information to their family members. When this process doesn't work well, family members may not know that they need to get genetic testing and then may not get potentially life-saving care. Provider-mediated contact to discuss genetic test results may help improve rates of genetic testing among at-risk relatives of patients with a family cancer syndrome.

Navigation Interventions to Improve Cascade Genetic Testing Among Relatives of Patients With Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

This clinical trial tests whether various web-based tools can help improve communication about hereditary cancer risk in families and decrease barriers to genetic testing for relatives of patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. Between 5% and 10% of all cancers are caused by genetic changes that are hereditary, which means that they run in families. Some kinds of cancer or certain cancers diagnosed in biological relatives may mean patients are more likely to have a genetic change. Once a genetic change is identified in a family, other biological relatives can choose to undergo testing themselves to better understand their cancer risk. The uptake of genetic testing in other biological relatives once a genetic condition is identified is about 20% to 30%. The Cascade Genetic Testing Platform is a virtual tool that seeks to overcome barriers related to logistics of family communication and improve dissemination of genetic testing information which is clinically actionable for individuals at highest risk for cancer. Using the Cascade Genetic Testing Platform may improve ways to share information about hereditary risk with biological relatives.