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

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colon Cancer, GI Cancers, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07387263

Run by

Unity Health Toronto

People needed

180

Starts

2026-04-30

Expected to finish

2027-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-24

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Receiving germline testing related to primary cancer condition initiated by oncologist
• 18 years old or older.
• Speak and read English

You may not qualify if…

• Receiving cancer genetic testing via a referral to a genetics clinic
• Do not speak or read English
• Under 18 years of age
• Determined to have diminished, marginal and or fluctuating decisional capacity
• Lack access to internet or an electronic device

Where it is running

• Sunnybrook Hospital — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (enrolling)
• Mount Sinai Hospital — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.