Communication Key to Ensuring Breast Cancer Risk Identification
February 27, 2017
Epic’s breast cancer risk assessment helps oncologists and patients make genetic testing decisions
In a new study, researchers at Stanford University, the University of Michigan, UCLA, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that even though about 80% of high-risk breast cancer patients would have been interested in genetic tests, only 50% actually received them. Of those who didn’t, 76% said it was because their provider never recommended them.
This study highlights the importance of decision support in helping providers determine whether to recommend genetic testing based on all of a patient’s risk factors. In Epic, family history screening questions drive risk score calculations that providers use to determine follow-up actions, including genetic testing.
Read more about the study here. Epic community members can learn more about breast cancer risk assessment in Epic here.
