Cascade Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer and Lynch Syndrome in Switzerland
Key facts
- Where
- Basel, Bellinzona, Bern, Delémont, Fribourg, Geneva, and Winterthur, SwitzerlandSee the 9 sites
Where in Switzerland
- University Hospital BaselBasel, SwitzerlandTaking people
- Istituto Oncologico della Zvizzera ItalianaBellinzona, SwitzerlandTaking people
- Universitatklinik fur Medizinische Onkologie, InselspitalBern, SwitzerlandTaking people
- Gastroenterology clinicBern, SwitzerlandNo longer taking part
- Hôpital du Jura Service d'OncologieDelémont, SwitzerlandTaking people
- HFR Fribourg - Hôpital cantonalFribourg, SwitzerlandNot yet recruiting
- Hirslanden Clinic Des GrangettesGeneva, SwitzerlandNot yet recruiting
- Unite d'Oncogenetique et de Prevention des CancersGeneva, SwitzerlandTaking people
- Katonsspital Winterthur Tumorzentrum BrustzentrumWinterthur, SwitzerlandNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Basel
- Trial code
- NCT03124212
- Record updated
- 13 May 2026
- Original description
Breast, colorectal, ovarian, and endometrial cancers constitute approximately 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in Switzerland and affect more than 12,000 individuals annually. Several hundred of these patients are likely to carry known genetic mutations associated with HBOC or LS. Genetic testing for hereditary susceptibility to cancer can prevent many cancer deaths through early identification and engagement in high-risk management care that involves intensive surveillance, chemoprevention and/or prophylactic surgery. However, current rates of genetic testing indicate that many Swiss mutation carriers and their family members do not use cancer genetic services (counseling and/or testing), either due to lack of coordination of care or due to lack of communication about the mutation among family members.Read full original descriptionShow less
Breast, colorectal, ovarian, and endometrial cancers constitute approximately 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in Switzerland and affect more than 12,000 individuals annually. Several hundred of these patients are likely to carry known genetic mutations associated with HBOC or LS. Genetic testing for hereditary susceptibility to cancer can prevent many cancer deaths through early identification and engagement in high-risk management care that involves intensive surveillance, chemoprevention and/or prophylactic surgery. However, current rates of genetic testing indicate that many Swiss mutation carriers and their family members do not use cancer genetic services (counseling and/or testing), either due to lack of coordination of care or due to lack of communication about the mutation among family members.
Cascade screening identifies and tests family members of a known mutation carrier. It determines whether asymptomatic family members are carriers of the identified mutation and proposes management options to reduce harmful outcomes. Robust evidence of basic science and descriptive population-based studies in Switzerland support the necessity of cascade screening for HBOC and LS. However, translation of this knowledge into public health interventions is lacking.
Specific Aims of the CASCADE study are:
1. Survey Index Patients diagnosed with HBOC or LS from clinic-based genetic testing records and determine their cancer status and surveillance practices; needs for coordination of medical care; psychosocial needs; patient-provider and patient-family communication needs; quality of life; willingness to serve as advocates for cancer genetic services for blood relatives. 2. Survey first- and second-degree relatives, and first cousins identified from pedigrees and/or family history records of HBOC and LS Index Patients and determine their cancer and mutation status; cancer surveillance practices; needs for coordination of medical care; barriers and facilitators to using cancer genetic services; psychosocial needs; patient-provider and patient-family communication needs; quality of life; willingness to participate in a study designed to increase use of cancer genetic services. 3. Explore the influence of patient-provider communication about genetic cancer risk on patient-family communication and the acceptability of a family-based communication, coping, and decision support intervention with focus group(s) of mutation carriers and blood relatives.
Inclusion: Carrier of a mutation associated with HBOC or LS; Have at least one living blood relative; Men and women; 18 years old and older; Mentally and physically able to provide informed consent; Can read and speak German or French or Italian or English; Currently living in Switzerland.
Exclusion: Carriers of unclassified variants (VUS) in BRCA1, BRCA2 or MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM genes; Not living in Switzerland; Patients who are critically ill and cannot complete the CASCADE survey; Participants who are institutionalized (e.g., nursing homes) or incarcerated.