Unlocking the science: Hereditary cancer genetic testing in cancer care

A Q&A with Rebecca Previs, MD, MS, Sr. Director of Medical Affairs at Labcorp Oncology

Hereditary cancer testing is one of our most powerful tools in the fight against cancer. It enables early detection, personalized treatment decisions, informed surgical decisions, and proactive prevention strategies for patients and their families. Clinical guidelines increasingly support broader use of hereditary cancer testing, and it is becoming more commonly used in clinical practice.

And yet, too many people who meet the criteria for hereditary cancer testing never receive it.

Why is hereditary cancer testing so important in oncology today? 

Hereditary cancer testing plays an essential role in precision oncology. For patients with cancers driven by inherited genetic variants such as breast, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancers, genetic information can directly shape critical care decisions, such as greater patient awareness of risk, earlier and more frequent screening, and identification of targeted treatments or clinical trials, which can significantly influence health outcomes. Without the insight provided by this testing, clinicians are missing essential data that could guide targeted treatments, affect surgical planning, and inform surveillance approaches for both patients and their families. 

If testing plays such a critical role, why are so few patients receiving it? 

Even with clear guidelines and strong evidence supporting its value, hereditary cancer testing remains underutilized in routine oncology practice. Its broader adoption is often hindered by logistical, educational, and workflow challenges that make consistent implementation difficult. 

Oncologists are navigating increasingly complex diagnostic and therapeutic options. In a busy workflow, selecting the appropriate genetic test, interpreting nuanced results, and integrating them into a patient’s treatment plan can be daunting. Limited time, minimal formal training in medical genetics, and the absence of streamlined decision‑support tools can further complicate efforts to incorporate testing into everyday clinical care. 

What needs to change to improve access of hereditary cancer testing? 

To meaningfully expand access, we need to move from isolated ordering to integration at scale. That starts with making hereditary cancer testing a routine part of everyday clinical care, not something reserved for select patients or specialized clinics. 

It requires a connected model that brings together genetic insights and diagnostic data, giving every provider information that can guide better care and lead to better outcomes. When genetic testing is fully embedded in clinical workflows, it does what it is designed to do: inform decisions, identify patients who need additional surveillance or preventive strategies, and give individuals clearer, more actionable information about their health. 

But improving access is not just about technology; it is also about the people who help patients and clinicians interpret these results. Genetic counselors are essential to this work, yet demand for their expertise often exceeds their availability. To scale their reach, we need to reduce administrative burden through EHR integrations, lab‑driven digital support tools, and more transparent coverage and cost information. That allows genetic counselors to focus on what actually improves care: interpreting results, guiding decisions, and supporting patients. 

Ultimately, expanding access to hereditary cancer testing isn’t just about reaching more individuals. It’s a foundational step toward advancing evidence‑based, preventative, and personalized oncology at a population level.

As seen in the April 2026 Inside Precision Medicine.