Telehealth Boosts Genetic Testing for Childhood Cancer Survivors

Remote counseling services increase access to vital genetic screenings.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A recent clinical trial found that telehealth services dramatically improved access to genetic counseling and testing for adult survivors of childhood cancer. The study showed a significant increase in the uptake of genetic testing, with 43% of participants in the telehealth group completing testing within six months, compared to just 15% in the usual care group. This expanded access led to actionable results that could inform personalized survivorship care, including earlier screenings and preventative measures.

Why it matters

Adult survivors of childhood cancer face an elevated risk of developing secondary cancers, with up to 13% of this risk linked to hereditary factors. Traditionally, accessing genetic services has been a challenge due to geographical limitations, specialist shortages, and logistical barriers. The telehealth model helps bridge this access gap, empowering survivors to take proactive steps in managing their cancer risk.

The details

The study, published in Lancet Regional Health – Americas, involved 391 participants with a median age of 44. Researchers found that the telehealth approach, which integrated remote genetic counseling services with primary care, led to a substantial increase in the completion of genetic testing. Ten percent of participants in the telehealth group received results that could inform personalized survivorship care, including earlier screenings and preventative measures.

  • The study was published on February 14, 2026.

The players

Tara Henderson, MD, MPH

Chair of Pediatrics at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“Identifying survivors with cancer-predisposing genetic variants allows personalized survivorship care with early screenings and preventive measures. Our study is the first national randomized trial to show that remote telehealth services, working with primary care providers, improve access to genetic counseling and testing for adult survivors of childhood cancers.”

— Tara Henderson, Chair of Pediatrics (Lancet Regional Health – Americas)

What’s next

Researchers acknowledge that further improvements are needed, such as enhancing motivation for testing through personalized decision aids, increasing education about the benefits, and addressing financial concerns related to testing costs.

The takeaway

The rise of telehealth in genetic services represents a shift towards a more decentralized and accessible model of care, empowering adult survivors of childhood cancer to proactively manage their health and cancer risk.