Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Genomic sequencing is a new type of genetic test that has the potential to provide patients with a wide range of information about their risks for many different diseases. Currently, guidelines recommend that patients undergoing genomic sequencing should be offered the option to receive incidental results that are medically actionable, that is, risks for diseases that can be prevented or cured. However, early research suggests that patients and the public are interested in receiving all types of results, including those not considered to be 'medically actionable'. However, to our knowledge the preferences of cancer patients , who represent a large population of patients who will receive genomic sequencing has not been explored in the Canadian setting. Furthermore, there are no effective platforms to provide patients with education and counselling about the array of possible findings. We explored the preferences of cancer patients for incidental findings from genomics sequencing, using a patient-centred decision-aid tool, the Genomics Adviser. Patients had the option to select results from 5 possible categories (medically actionable results, common disease risks, rare genetic disorders, brain diseases and carrier results). Overall, patients were enthusiastic about receiving incidental findings, with 97% of participants choosing to receive medically actionable results and over one third (35%) of patients selecting to receive all 5 categories. Our results suggest that cancer patients are interested in receiving results beyond those that are medically actionable. Given that patients will need a considerable amount of pre-test education and counselling to make an informed decision on the possible array of results, tools such as the Genomics Adviser can play an important role in the delivery of genetic health services.