# Feasibility and Assessment of a Cascade Traceback Screening program - FACTS

> **NIH NIH U01** · GEISINGER CLINIC · 2020 · $703,016

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death
in US women. Despite guidelines recommending genetic testing for all women with ovarian
cancer, fewer than one-quarter are tested. This project will focus on the feasibility and options for
implementation of a Traceback cascade screening program through methods, culturally-
appropriate language, and legal issues related to identifying probands and family members and
successfully facilitating genetic testing in healthcare systems with currently available resources.
Our Long-term goal is to create an effective Traceback program that is practical and sustainable
in the real-world setting. The main objective of this project is to determine the acceptability,
feasibility, and effectiveness of a Traceback cascade screening program in multiple populations
and healthcare systems that will guide broader implementation. Our research question is in what
organizational contexts and populations a Traceback program for proband identification and
cascade screening of family members can be implemented, what would successful outcomes be
for such programs, and what are the contextual, logistical, and legal barriers to be addressed?
Our specific aims are to: 1) to explore a legal solution based on the privacy laws of all 50 states
that may hinder or facilitate genetic testing of family members; 2) illuminate culturally appropriate
language and communication strategies to inform women with ovarian cancer and their family
members about the availability of genetic testing; 3) describe the effectiveness and feasibility of
a Traceback cascade screening program in three healthcare systems; and 4) to explore the
implementation outcomes related to a Traceback cascade program to provide guidance for
broader dissemination of such a program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9972625
- **Project number:** 1U01CA240747-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** GEISINGER CLINIC
- **Principal Investigator:** Nora B. Henrikson
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $703,016
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9972625

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9972625, Feasibility and Assessment of a Cascade Traceback Screening program - FACTS (1U01CA240747-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9972625. Licensed CC0.

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