Ensuring access to high quality molecular oncology laboratory testing and clinical cancer genetic services in Ontario : report of the Molecular Oncology Task Force

ENSURING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY LABORATORY TESTING AND CLINICAL CANCER GENETIC SERVICES IN ONTARIO Report of the Molecular Oncology Task Force | December 2008 Ensuring Access to High Quality Molecular Oncology Laboratory Testing and Clinical Cancer Genetic Services in Ontario EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Science today allows us to examine the genetic makeup of individuals and use the infor [...] This resulted in CCO striking the Molecular Oncology Task Force to provide recommendations aimed at ensuring access to high-quality molecular oncology laboratory testing and clinical cancer genetic services, and the development of a sustainable system for quality assurance processes and funding of molecular oncology services6. [...] Report of the Molecular Oncology Task Force | December 2008 5 Ensuring Access to High Quality Molecular Oncology Laboratory Testing and Clinical Cancer Genetic Services in Ontario Clinical Cancer Genetic Services Genetic counselling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial influences of genetic contributions to disease. [...] The mandate of the OGS is to strengthen collaborations among the labs and clinical genetic service centres, and work towards improving genetic services across the province to ensure timely and leading edge genetic services to the people of Ontario. [...] In the face of this pressure, and due to a lack of process, the system must scramble to organize licensing and quality assurance, and to find funds and capacity to provide the service.