Representatives of the University of Illinois Cancer Center were back at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to advocate for the “Cancer Genetic Testing” bill introduced in the Illinois Senate.
Pamela Ganschow, MD, Director of Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Clinical Programs, and Vivian Pan, MS, CGC, Senior Genetic Counselor, recently participated in a press conference to discuss the vital role of genetic testing in cancer prevention. They highlighted the importance of the proposed legislation, which is also supported by the Illinois Society of Genetic Professionals. Pan represented both the Cancer Center and the Society, underscoring the unified support for this crucial healthcare initiative.
Details: Cancer Genetic Testing
The bill would provide access to genetic testing for people with a personal or family history of cancer, and evidence-based cancer screening for people with a positive genetic test for an inherited mutation associated with an increased risk of cancer as recommended by National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate and moved to the House.
The Cancer Center is working with the UI Health Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to increase access to and utilization of cancer genetic services among minority populations by integrating universal hereditary cancer risk assessment into the primary care clinics. Hereditary cancer risk assessment is also being implemented into mammography centers, as well as other clinical venues at UI Health.
Through the Illinois Cancer Health Equity Research Center (I-CHER), the Cancer Center, with The Resurrection Project and other partners, has leveraged this novel infrastructure at UI Health to test multilevel solutions to improve access to low or no-cost risk assessment, genetic testing and risk-based care for underserved populations.