62% of US Respondents Want Their Cancer Genetically Tested to Find New Treatments: Wamberg Genomic Survey

LA JOLLA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixty-two percent (62%) of respondents noted that if they developed cancer, they would want their cancer genetically tested to find other new treatments. Just 4% would not want their cancer genetically tested, 23% may want it, and 11% were unsure. 

Results are based on Wamberg Genomic Consumer Survey, which queried 536 U.S. consumers from 26 to 64 years old with employer-sponsored health insurance. Survey Sampling International (SSI) fielded the survey in October/November 2017.

Public interest in cancer genetic testing was also shown in a 2017 Medscape survey of 132 cancer specialists in US who reported that 59% of cancer patients want genetic testing when given the option and 27% are willing to pay for it out of pocket.¹

Also, a study of lung cancer patients showed that 41% of patients did not receive necessary genetic testing of their cancer as recommended by national clinical guidelines. They mention uncertainty regarding cost reimbursement as one of the barriers to ordering these tests.²

Dr. Phil Smalley, Chief Medical Director of Wamberg Genomic Advisors has noted that in recent reports³ the benefits of cancer genomic profiling include:

• Improve cancer diagnostic accuracy
• Better predict cancer patient survival
• Can guide cancer treatment selection using precision medicine
• Leads to more patients getting enrolled in clinical trials and new drug discovery
• Can improve patient survival
• Might be useful to prevent cancer from occurring in family members (3)

Tom Wamberg, CEO of Wamberg Genomic Advisors said, "It is encouraging to see in our recent survey the degree to which the public is positive about use of cancer genomic profiling to find the best treatment for their specific cancer."

Wamberg Genomic Advisors has made easy and affordable access to reputable genetic testing service providers to facilitate access to multi-gene panel genomic profiling of cancer tissue through its Cancer Guardian service.

About the Survey
The Wamberg Genomic Consumer Survey queried 536 U.S. consumers 26-64. The survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) in October/November 2017. Data for the survey was collected via an opt-in panel. The margin of error was 4%.

About Survey Sampling International:
Survey Sampling International (SSI) has been the premier global provider of data solutions and technology for consumer and business-to-business survey research for 40 years.  For more information, go to www.surveysampling.com.   

About Wamberg Genomic Advisors:
Wamberg Genomic Advisors' mission is to make genomic testing readily available at prices everyone can afford. Our focus is on delivering genomic products and services to employers and their employees via their trusted benefit brokers, and policyholders of life insurance companies. To learn more, visit wamberggenomic.com.

¹ H. Jack West, MD and Gabriel Miller, Genomic Testing and Precision Medicine in Cancer Care, Medscape Internal Medicine; May 2, 2017
http://www.medscape.com/slideshow/genomics-and-oncology-report-6008655. Accessed December 13, 2017

² Gutierrez ME et al. Genomic Profiling of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Community Settings: Gaps and Opportunities. Clin Lung Cancer. 2017 Apr 13. pii: S1525-7304(17)30109-2

³ Phil Smalley MD, Offering Cancer Genomic Profiling as an Employee Benefit. Corporate Wellness Magazine, December 2017. Accessed December 16, 2017 at http://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/genomics/cancer-genomic-profiling-employee-benefit/

SOURCE Wamberg Genomic Advisors

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