Dr. Janicek on Genetic Testing in Patients With Ovarian Cancer

Mike Janicek, MD, medical director, Division of Genetics, Arizona Oncology, discusses the use of genetic testing in patients with ovarian cancer.

There has not been enough progress with genetic testing, says Janicek, adding that it has been 2 decades since the discovery of the BRCA gene. There has not been enough progress in terms of awareness and application. There are estimates that less than 20% of patients who have had breast and ovarian cancer who are eligible for testing have been tested.

In the oncology world, the numbers are on the rise, but they have yet to reach 100% of where they should be. Despite all of the progress physicians have made, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. There have, however, been incremental changes in gene panels. There has been progress in terms of therapies, PARP inhibitors, immune therapies, and targeting genetic mutations. This has extended to other fields like and prostate indications, as well.