New trial to explore genetic test for cancer risk in GP setting
Professor Jon Emery’s Cancer in Primary Care group have received a $2.4 million MRFF grant to conduct a trial looking at the feasibility of offering DNA tests to screen for individual cancer risk in a GP setting.
Professor Jon Emery from the Department of General Practice and Primary Care, and Herman Chair of Primary Care Cancer Research.
The CASOWARY (CAncer genomic riSk ScOres in primARY Care) trial is a multi-site study led using genomics-based tests developed by Genetic Technologies Limited.
The study will generate high-quality evidence to assess the viability of using DNA testing to screen for risk of four of the most common cancers in Australia: breast, colorectal, prostate, and melanoma.
Professor Jon Emery said DNA testing can aid in the prevention and early detection of cancer by allowing doctors to offer personalised risk management strategies.
“This is the first trial in Australia to study the impact of providing this type of genomic information to patients in general practice, including recommended screening tests according to their cancer risks,” Professor Emery said.