Join Our Study to Find Better Ways to Prevent, Diagnose and Treat Cancer
At City of Hope, we are dedicated to using genomic-driven precision medicine (treatment created specifically based on your genetic information, sometimes known as personalized medicine) to treat cancer. We invite City of Hope patients who have been seen for care in the past three years to take part in our study to find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. As part of this study, patients will be offered no-cost genetic testing to assess their risk for developing cancer and other conditions. Our goal is to create lifesaving new therapies for future generations.
Interested in Enrolling in the Study?
Please complete a short survey to confirm eligibility and enroll in the study, and our team member will get back to you shortly.
City of Hope's Center for Precision Medicine is now enrolling people in a general research consent study, which enables research seeking better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. As part of this study, patients will be offered no-cost genetic testing to assess their risk for developing cancer and other conditions. One of the goals is to design a care plan personalized for you.
Upon joining the study, you can opt into genetic testing for 188 genes linked to the hereditary risk for developing cancer and other diseases for which treatments exist. Information from this study can help our clinical care team create the best care plan for you.
When you join the study, a trained expert will review the consent form with you to explain the study's purpose, risks and benefits, and limitations. This process takes about 20 minutes and can be done in person at a City of Hope location near you or by phone.
The genetic testing for cancer risk involves either receiving an at-home saliva kit in the mail with postage-paid return shipping or having your blood drawn at your next City of Hope visit. A certified genetic counselor will explain the results by letter or phone.
If test results show that you have a genetic risk for developing cancer, our staff can refer you for a consultation with an expert. We can also arrange follow-up consultations for family members who may have the same genetic risk.
Every City of Hope patient who has been seen for care in the past three years is eligible to enroll in the study — regardless of whether they have cancer.
Patients who have an active blood cancer or who have had an allogeneic stem cell transplant (from another person) cannot undergo genetic testing as part of this study.
The time commitment will depend on which parts of the study you choose to take part in.
The first step involves a trained expert reviewing the consent form with you, which takes about 20 minutes.
If you share your family history through our secure app, it can take 10 to 20 minutes depending on the number of family members.
If you choose genetic testing, you can provide a saliva or blood sample, which takes about 10 minutes.
There is no cost for joining the study, and participating doesn't involve any payment to you. There also is no cost for the hereditary genetic testing completed through the study.
Please note: Further screenings or medical interventions beyond the submission of biological samples and initial genetic test results will be billed like any other medical appointment or procedure. If test results show that you have a genetic risk for developing cancer, our staff can refer you for a consultation, which will be billed to your insurance. We can also arrange follow-up consultations for family members.
Please email pmed@coh.org or call 626-218-1930 to confirm eligibility and for more information about how to get involved.
If you chose to have testing for both cancer and non-cancer genes, you will receive two saliva kits in the mail because these tests are run separately. Please return them both.