Priority European strategies for sustainable access to high-quality genetic counselling in cancer: A Delphi study.

This study evaluated how to better integrate genetic counseling into cancer care across European Union countries within the framework of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Using a three-round Delphi survey, 77 stakeholders from all EU Member States (geneticists, oncologists, genetic counsellors, patient representatives, and one other expert) assessed 19 proposed strategies aimed at overcoming common barriers in genetic literacy, workforce capacity, and reimbursement. Strategies were rated on importance, urgency, and feasibility, and participants also identified their top three priorities.

Five strategies met predefined consensus thresholds and emerged as clear priorities:

• EU-wide recognition of genetic counsellors – formal acknowledgment of the profession across Member States.
• Incorporating genetics expertise into oncology guideline development – ensuring genetic considerations are embedded in standard cancer care pathways.
• Shared EU framework for genetic counsellor registration/education with legal status – harmonized training and credentialing across the EU.
• Mandatory reimbursement for genetic counselling when guideline criteria are met – to remove financial barriers for indicated services.
• Mandatory genetics content in oncology training and continuing medical education – to strengthen clinicians’ genetic literacy.

The authors conclude that these five actions form a practical roadmap to sustainably improve equitable access to genetic counseling in cancer care throughout Europe, and note that current EU initiatives could help implement these recommendations.