Om prosjektet
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality both globally and within Norway. Despite the presence of all well-developed healthcare system, disparities in access to quality of medical services persist. In Norway, only five hospitals currently offer genetic evaluation for hereditary cancer: Oslo University Hospital, Haukeland University Hospital, University Hospital of Northern Norway, St.Olavs Hospital, and Telemark Hospital. Today, a simple blood or tissue sample can provide crucial information regarding pathogenic variants and their clinical implications. The insights derived from genetic testing enable more precise and personalized treatment strategies for affected individuals.
It is widely assumed that healthcare services in Norway are equally distributed, regardless of geographical location. However, differences in economic resources, institutional expertise, and adherence to clinical guidelines may contribute to regional disparities – particularly within highly specialized fields such as genetic testing for hereditary cancer. Genetic testing plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, risk assessment, and personalized treatment of cancer. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge about how such testing is implemented and interpreted across different laboratories in Norway. A systematic evaluation of current practices is therefore warranted.
The aim of this bachelor thesis is to examine and evaluate genetic testing for hereditary cancer in Norway. This includes identifying and mapping laboratories that perform such testing, as well as comparing the gene panels and Next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms used across institutions. Furthermore, the study investigates whether national or international clinical guidelines are followed and assesses potential variations in testing practices between geographic regions and healthcare institutions.
The methodology consists of a questionnaire distributed to all public hospitals in Norway. The survey includes questions regarding the analysis of hereditary cancer testing, sample referral practices, institutional limitations, and the guidelines adhered to. In addition, interviews were conducted with the five hospitals that perform genetic testing of hereditary cancer.
Bilder:
- Welcome to the Radiumhospital 😊 The picture illustrates the entrance to the Department of Tumor Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research 🧬🥼🔬
- The picture illustrates where the researchers and our external supervisor work. Our project mainly consists of data collection (from surveys and interviews), which is illustrated in the bottom-left picture. The bottom-right picture illustrates the workplace of our supervisor (we did not conduct any lab work).
Prosjektdeltakere
Siromika Gnanasampanthan, Kesia Madeleine Koren Møysal, Selma Osmanovic Nuhanovic, Azwa Nasir.
Om oppdragsgiveren
The Institute of Cancer Research plays an important role in both national and international cancer research. It is organized under the Division of Cancer Medicine at the Radium Hospital and serves as a key partner in the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Oslo University Hospital. The institute consists of several research groups, including cancer genetics, cancer immunology, cell and tumor biology, molecular oncology, and radiation biology. Researchers collaborate closely with surgeons, oncologists, and pathologists, and many of them are active both in clinical practice and at the institute.
Veileder
Internal supervisor: Hege Vangstein Aamot, Høgskolen i Østfold
Eksternal supervisor: Mev Valentin Dominguez, Institute for Cancer Research