NCCN Publishes Patient Guidance on Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) published a new resource with evidence-based information about current recommendations for hereditary and familial cancer risk. The “NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate Cancer” aims to inform patients about the assessment and testing for inherited genetic mutations that can increase cancer risk.¹

“No other landscape in medicine has changed as drastically as the field of clinical genetics,” Mary B. Daly, MD, PhD, FACP, Fox Chase Cancer Center; and chair of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate Cancer, said in a statement. “The changes have been facilitated by the work of the Human Genome Project but have gone way beyond its scope.”

The Human Genome Project was an international effort that produced the first human genome sequence in 2003.² The sequence accounted for over 90% of the human genome, which was as close to complete as was possible with DNA sequencing at the time.

“Advances in technology have been a major driver of the explosion of knowledge in genetics, now allowing us to sequence the entire human genome in a short period of time and at a fraction of the cost of previous years,” Daly said.¹ “This has led to a better understanding of the natural history of cancer, the ability to assess genetic risk for cancer across populations, the development of clinical management strategies to reduce cancer risk, the development of novel therapeutic agents which target genetic alterations, and to improved education of patients and providers about genetic risk.”

Genetic testing assesses patients for specific inherited mutations that may raise a patient’s risk of cancer, and approximately 5% to 10% of cancers are thought to be caused by such mutations.³ Tests are typically requested by providers, including doctors and genetic counselors, who determine that an individual’s medical history and family medical history indicate a possibility of inherited cancer.

The new guideline is the NCCN’s first patient resource on the topic of cancer genetics and hereditary cancer risk. It is a free resource that presents evidence-based information in a plainspoken way, adding to a library of more than 70 free books with information on cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care offered by the NCCN.¹ 

“It’s very important for everyone to understand their cancer risks based on their personal or family history since their personal risk level may necessitate earlier, more frequent, and/or more intensive cancer surveillance,” Heather Hampel, MS, certified genetics counselor and associate director of the Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research at City of Hope, said.¹ “This is the best way to ensure that you are doing everything you can to prevent cancer or catch it early when treatment has the best outcome. You can find a local cancer genetic counselor at findageneticcounselor.org if you would like a personalized cancer risk assessment. This often includes genetic testing to determine if you have a hereditary cancer susceptibility running in your family.”

References

1. New NCCN patient resource shares latest understanding of genetic testing to guide patient decision making. News release. NCCN. January 16, 2025. Accessed January 16, 2025.

2. Human genome project. News release. National Human Genome Research Institute. Updated June 3, 2024. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/fact-sheets/human-genome-project

3. Genetic testing for inherited cancer risk. National Cancer Institute. Updated April 18, 2024. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet#what-is-genetic-testing-for-inherited-cancer-risk