Mainstreaming Genetics: Evaluation of a Digital Application to Scale and Spread Oncologist-initiated Genetic Testing

Genetic testing can alter therapy and surgical management for cancer patients and is therefore indicated as a first-line test for many newly diagnosed patients, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and colon/GI patients. To reduce pressure on already constrained genetics clinics across Canada, some cancer centres are 'mainstreaming' genetic testing - whereby genetic testing is initiated and mediated by oncologists without traditional pre-test genetic counseling (GC) often using some form of paper-based patient pamphlets or videos. There is no standard, evidence-based approach to mainstreaming, leading to significant practice variation, a lack of coordinated care and ultimately, negative psychological impacts on patients. Digital solutions can address these gaps by providing a standardized, coordinated and patient-centered approach to deliver cancer genetic education. However, digital solutions for providing cancer genetics services are uncommon and clinical-effectiveness and service delivery outcomes have not been well-assessed. This study will test a digital mainstreaming platform called the Genetics Adviser for Mainstream care to assess its effectiveness in improving psychological outcomes and patient-centred care for mainstream cancer patients compared to standard of care.

NCT Number	NCT07387263
Lead Sponsor	Unity Health Toronto
Conditions	Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colon Cancer, GI Cancers, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Enrollment	180 participants
Start Date	2026-04-30
Primary Completion	2026-12 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-03 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-24