Online Tool Helps Cancer Patients Share Genetic Test Results

The GIFT platform allows patients to invite relatives to learn about their genetic risk and access testing.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 7:06am

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Researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have developed a web-based tool called GIFT (Genetic Information and Family Testing) to help cancer patients share the results of their genetic testing with family members who may also be at risk. The tool provides education and decision support to patients, and allows them to invite relatives to the site to learn about their genetic risk and access testing.

Why it matters

Genetic testing for cancer risk can have significant implications for a patient's family members, but often patients struggle to effectively communicate these results to their relatives. The GIFT tool aims to address this critical gap and help facilitate cascade genetic testing within families.

The details

The GIFT trial enrolled 414 cancer survivors diagnosed in 2018-2019 who carried a pathogenic genetic variant. Patients were randomized to either an online-only version of the tool or one with a human navigator. About one in five patients enrolled invited relatives, and about one in three of those invited relatives enrolled. Nine out of 10 enrolled relatives ordered genetic testing. The human navigator did not increase enrollment, suggesting the online-only tool could be sufficient.

  • The GIFT trial enrolled cancer survivors diagnosed in 2018-2019.
  • The study results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2026.

The players

Steven J. Katz

A researcher at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center and the senior study author.

Allison Kurian

A professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health at Stanford University School of Medicine and the senior author of a related study.

Lawrence C. An

An associate professor of internal medicine at Michigan Medicine and co-director of Rogel's Center for Health Communications Research, who was a study co-author.

GIFT

A web-based intervention developed by researchers to educate cancer patients about the impact of genetic variants on their family and facilitate communication and cascade genetic testing.

University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center

The institution where the GIFT tool was developed and the trial was conducted.

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What they’re saying

“Our online intervention is a promising blueprint to address this critical need for cascade genetic education and testing.”

— Steven J. Katz, Professor of internal medicine and of health behavior and policy

“This is a big unmet need. While patients are supported through their genetic testing, they get little clinical guidance on how to talk about it with their family. Our goal is to offer a family referral service to all clinicians so patients can make this connection back to their families. The results of our pilot study suggest patients want this and families want it as well.”

— Allison Kurian, Professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health

“This study showed that many cancer patients and their families are comfortable using a virtual tool to share and learn information about genetic risk. Study participants told us our site was easy to use and that they were able to go through the program and access services without the help of a navigator. It's an example of how evolving communication technology can personalize engagement and fill the gap in cascade genetic testing.”

— Lawrence C. An, Associate professor of internal medicine

What’s next

The research team is working on a second iteration of the GIFT tool that will incorporate an AI assistant to further personalize the genetic risk information and improve communication between patients and family members.

The takeaway

The GIFT tool demonstrates the potential for digital health interventions to help address the critical gap in cascade genetic testing, empowering cancer patients to effectively share their genetic risk information with family members who may also benefit from genetic testing and tailored cancer screening or prevention strategies.