Dr. Janicek Discusses Progress in Genetic Testing for Ovarian Cancer

Mike Janicek, MD, medical director, Genetics Division, Arizona Oncology, discusses progress with genetic testing in ovarian cancer.

Janicek says that there has not been enough progress made since the discovery of the BRCA gene 2 decades ago. There is not enough awareness about genetic testing, he explains, and less than 20% of patients who are eligible for testing who have breast or ovarian cancer have received it.

Awareness in the oncology space is improving, but there is a long way to go, Janicek says. Incremental changes in ovarian cancer have been made including gene panels, targeted therapies such as PARP inhibitors, and immunotherapy. Genetic testing is now making its way into breast cancer and prostate cancer indications, Janicek concludes.