Accordingly, the prospective, observational ENGAGE study sought to evaluate a streamlined oncologist-led BRCAm testing pathway in 700 patients with ovarian cancer at 26 sites in the United States, Spain, and Italy.
Oncologists and oncology nurses involved in the study received training on pretest genetic counseling techniques and on how to discuss the role of BRCAm testing with patients, according to the study description. Patients with a positive test were recommended for an appointment with a geneticist or genetic counselor.
The median time from initial counseling to receiving a test result was 9.1 weeks, the investigators reported. For patients in the United States, that median turnaround time was 4.1 weeks, while turnaround times in Spain and Italy were 12.0 and 20.4 weeks, respectively.
“BRCAm testing usually occurred shortly after the initial oncology team counseling, whereas the average time from patient consent to BRCAm testing was expected to be more than 1 month in approximately 25% of patients using standard procedures,” the investigators said in their report.