Dr. Rana on Germline Genetic Testing in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Huma Q. Rana, MD, MPH, clinical director, Cancer Genetics and Prevention, assistant professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses germline genetic testing in men with advanced prostate cancer.

Historically, genetic testing has been a mainstay for women with a personal or family history of breast cancer, says Rana. However, germline genetic testing should extend to men with advanced prostate cancer and men with potentially lethal prostate cancer.

However, there are challenges with implementing widespread genetic testing in this patient population, and reevaluation of testing methods is needed, explains Rana.

Logistical challenges regarding testing include additional appointments for patients with advanced disease, limited knowledge of germline genetic testing in the clinic, and a lack of genetics experts, concludes Rana.