Implementing universal cancer screening programs can help sustain genomic medicine programs.

Rahm AK1, Bellcross C2, Cragun D3, Duquette D4, Hampel H5, Heald B6.

Author information

1: Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, 100 N Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822, USA.
2: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, 1462 Clifton Road, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
3: USF Genetic Counseling Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Interdisciplinary Research Building, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Suite 304, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
4: Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 630, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
5: Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine & Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 2012 Kenny Road, Room 257, Columbus, OH 43221, USA.
6: Sanford R Weiss, MD, Center for Hereditary Colorectal Neoplasia, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

Abstract

As technology improves and prices of genetic sequencing continue to decrease, questions arise as to whether implementing universal cancer genetic screening programs to identify those at higher risk for hereditary cancer conditions and offer them genetic sequencing will become obsolete as part of genomic medicine programs in favor of population testing for hereditary cancer risk through genetic sequencing of everyone (population genomic screening). In this commentary, we discuss how implementing evidence-based universal cancer screening programs, such as universal Lynch syndrome screening and other programs, can sustain current genomic medicine programs and pave the way for future genomic screening programs, and that they must remain an integral and necessary part of the evolving landscape of genomic medicine.