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Outcomes of an advanced practice nurse (APN)-led cancer genetics service.

71 Background: In oncology practice, there are increasing numbers of patients for whom genetic testing is recommended by the National Cancer Care Network (NCCN), including all metastatic and high-risk localized prostate cancer patients. However, there is a critical shortage of genetics services providers. Acuity for these consults can be high, particularly in the context of a treatment related decision. We hypothesized that nurses, particularly advanced practice nurses (APNs), can provide a workforce within VA that can address genetic testing and genetic care needs of prostate cancer patients. Methods: We initiated a cancer genetics service staffed with an advanced practice nurse (APN) geneticist and evaluated the success of the program at a large urban, academic-affiliated Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Results: In the one year prior to the initiation of the APN geneticist-run program (10/1/2019-9/30/2020), 61 unaffected patients with a family history of cancer and 85 patients with cancer (36 with prostate cancer) were referred to a VA centralized telegenetics service. An average of seven cancer patients (average three with prostate cancer) were referred to VA telegenetics per month. Genetic testing was completed in eleven (18%) of unaffected patients and 21 (25%) of cancer patients. Five (13%) of tested patients were found to have a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation or variant of uncertain significance (VUS). In the eight months after initiation of the APN geneticist-run consult service (10/1/2020 - 5/30/2021), 39 unaffected patients with a family history of cancer and 90 patients with cancer (38 with prostate cancer) were referred. An average of 11 cancer patients (average five with prostate cancer) per month were referred. This represents a 57% increase in all cancer patient and a 67% increase in prostate cancer patient referrals. For those patients referred to the APN geneticist-run consult service, genetic testing was completed in three (7%) of unaffected patients and 30 (33%) of cancer patients (including 15 prostate cancer patients). The genetic testing rate therefore improved from 1.7 oncology patients per month to 3.9 oncology patients per month, an 130% increase in genetic testing. For prostate cancer patients, the genetic testing rate improved from 0.8 to 1.9 patients tested per month, representing a 137% increase. Comparison of genetic testing outcomes at one year will be included in the final presentation. Conclusions: Inclusion of an APN geneticist-run consult service embedded in oncology clinics will likely improve access to genetics services and genetic testing rates in cancer patients.