Namboodiri, Aparna

AbstractSurveillance of individuals at high‐risk of pancreatic cancer using CAPS criteria and other expert consensus guidelines may result in earlier pancreatic cancer detection in some cases; therefore, clinicians are responsible for appropriately identifying and referring these individuals to appropriate high‐risk pancreas cancer screening programs. This study aimed at assessing the perspective, knowledge, and clinical practices of cancer genetic counselors surveyed nationwide towards identification of individuals at high‐risk of pancreatic cancer and utilization of high‐risk pancreatic cancer screening programs. One hundred and eighty‐nine genetic counselors who listed “Cancer” as their specialty on the NSGC website responded to the survey, which consisted of multiple practice‐based, knowledge‐based, and clinical vignette‐based questions. Almost 70% of the genetic counselors surveyed accurately identified when an individual would be considered for high‐risk pancreatic cancer screening, when using 2019 CAPS consensus guidelines as a benchmark. Access to high‐risk pancreatic cancer screening programs and increased provider comfort in counseling individuals at high‐risk of pancreatic cancer were found to be statistically associated in accurate identification of high‐risk individuals in three of the clinical vignettes. Additionally, 60% of genetic counselors reported the majority of high‐risk individuals accept a referral for pancreatic cancer screening, which shows a high uptake of patients accepting referrals from genetic counselors. Genetic counselors have high accuracy in determining who is eligible for high‐risk pancreas screening; thus, they are the ideal providers for initiating referrals to high‐risk pancreatic cancer screening programs. Genetic counseling programs and high‐risk pancreatic cancer screening programs should establish a close working relationship to optimize the identification and subsequent referrals of high‐risk individuals eligible for pancreas cancer screening.