Comprehensive evaluation of genetic counseling and genetic testing in diagnosis and management of adult-onset hereditary cancer syndromes: A mixed method study.

Genetic counseling and testing are currently considered the standard of care for hereditary malignancies, helping with therapy optimization and family screening. However, considerable barriers to deploying genetic counseling services in low- and middle-income countries limit their acceptance. These limitations include inadequate accessibility, a scarcity of skilled professionals, and a lack of awareness and expertise among both healthcare practitioners and patients. Existing research has consistently indicated a lack of awareness and comprehension of genetic counseling among stakeholders as a key barrier, underlining the need for tailored services. In India, developing and integrating cancer genetic counseling services into tertiary care hospitals is critical to overcome these limitations. This study seeks to address this gap by evaluating genetic counseling and broad-spectrum genetic testing in adult-onset hereditary cancers by quantitative and qualitative methods. By analyzing outcomes such as stakeholder knowledge and awareness, attitude and perception, the study achieves its primary goal of correcting educational gaps and encouraging informed decision-making. Furthermore, assessing health outcomes will provide crucial insights into the utility of these services, thereby giving valuable data to improve policy and practice. The burden of hereditary cancer syndromes (HCSs) is not well defined in India, and defining the mutational landscape leads to improved health benefits.