Genomic Testing May Be Currently Overhyped, Oncologists Say

Most oncologists believe genomic testing is a major advance, but that it is "significantly overpromoted," according to a survey conducted by Medscape and the Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle. The survey of 132 oncologists was conducted between Dec. 13, 2016 and Feb. 27, 2017. The respondents represented a wide range of practice settings including private practices (25 percent); hospital or hospital- owned group practice (47 percent); and military, research, academic or government institutions (16 percent). Overall, 71 percent of oncologists believe genomic testing is "very" or "extremely" important to the practice of oncology. However, 55 percent believe it is "overpromoted" or "very overpromoted," with its value below expectations. One-third believes it is appropriately promoted and meets expectations. Yet, oncologists are hopeful about the future of testing. Among the roughly one-third of respondents that report genomic testing is not useful now, 89 percent believe it will be useful within 10 years. Concerns with Genomic Testing The survey assessed concerns among the oncologists. The biggest clinical concern is that too often genomic testing fails to provide clinically actionable information that would change patient management (31 percent). Sixty-one percent of oncologists say that less than one-quarter of their patients would benefit from genomic […]