Disparities in the News Again

Sharon Gentry, RN, MSN, AOCN, CBCN | September 28, 2011

Disparities in cancer are a core job activity that navigators encounter and work against on a daily basis. A recent news release (www.cancernetwork.com/8/3/11) on the disparity between recommendations and practice for breast and ovarian genetic testing was disheartening. This testing has been around commercially for a decade. How is the best way to get doctors to discuss with patients and refer to appropriate counseling? In the study highlighted, only 29% of physicians reported referring women at risk for counseling and/or testing.