Study of Combined Obstetrical Carrier and Hereditary Cancer Screening in Women Aged 18 to 55

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the feasibility and acceptability of offering hereditary cancer risk screening alongside standard prenatal genetic testing in patients receiving routine prenatal or preconception care. The study aims to assess interest in genetic testing for inherited cancer risk and explore if universal screening during these periods can help support early cancer prevention. This is a prospective, interventional trial conducted at Columbia University-affiliated obstetrics clinics. Participants will meet with a clinician who will review options for combining hereditary cancer screening HCS with obstetrical carrier screening OCS. Those interested will receive counseling on the benefits and risks of genetic testing, have blood drawn for both OCS and the Natera Empower Hereditary Cancer Panel for cancer screening, and may consult with a genetic counselor and financial representative. OCS results are reported per standard care, while HCS results are delivered by a genetic counselor with follow-up counseling and referrals as needed. Participants will complete surveys about their experience and decision regret at multiple time points, and demographic and clinical data will be securely stored. Those with mutations indicating clinical follow-up needs will be contacted 18 months later to check on follow-up completion. Interviews may also be conducted by phone. The primary outcome is the percentage of participants completing both screenings, with secondary outcomes including regret survey scores and use of cancer risk mitigation strategies. The study is expected to complete recruitment over approximately two years.

Feasibility Trial of Combination of Obstetrical Carrier Screening and Hereditary Cancer Screening