Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39857147›Full record

ReviewHealthcare (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Exploring Literacy and Knowledge Gaps and Disparities in Genetics and Oncogenomics Among Cancer Patients and the General Population: A Scoping Review.

Katerina Nikitara, Maria Luis Cardoso, Astrid Moura Vicente, Célia Maria Batalha Silva Rasga, Roberta De Angelis, Zeina Chamoun Morel, Arcangela De Nicolo, Maria Nomikou, Christina Karamanidou, Christine Kakalou

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Katerina NikitaraHellenic Cancer Federation, Solonos Street 94, 10680 Athens, Greece.
Maria Luis CardosoInstituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
Astrid Moura VicenteInstituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
Célia Maria Batalha Silva RasgaInstituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
Roberta De AngelisDepartment of Oncology and Molecula Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Zeina Chamoun MorelAdvanced Training Office, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, CEDEX 05, 75005 Paris, France.
Arcangela De NicoloCenter for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7275-5571
Maria NomikouHellenic Cancer Federation, Solonos Street 94, 10680 Athens, Greece.
Christina KaramanidouCentre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Christine KakalouCentre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-9272-410X

Funding

European Union CAN.HEAL - grant number 101080009
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGenetic and genomic literacy is pivotal in empowering cancer patients and citizens to navigate the complexities of omics sciences, resolve misconceptions surrounding clinical research and genetic/genomic testing, and make informed decisions about their health. In a fast-evolving scenario where routine testing has become widespread in healthcare, this scoping review sought to pinpoint existing gaps in literacy and understanding among cancer patients and the general public regarding genetics and genomics.

methodsAdhering to the PRISMA framework, the review included 43 studies published between January 2018 and June 2024, which evaluated the understanding of genetics and genomics among cancer patients, caregivers, and citizens.

resultsAlthough the selected studies had significant heterogeneity in populations and evaluation tools, our findings indicate inadequate literacy levels, with citizens displaying lower proficiency than cancer patients and caregivers. This review highlighted consistent knowledge gaps in understanding the genetic and genomic underpinnings of diseases, encompassing misconceptions about mutation types and inheritance patterns, limited awareness of available genetic testing options, and difficulties in interpreting test results. Ethical and privacy concerns and the psychological impact of genetic testing were also common, highlighting the imperative need for effective communication between healthcare providers and patients.

conclusionsGiven the dynamic nature of genomic science, the review underscores the need for continuously evolving educational programs tailored to diverse populations. Our findings could guide the development of educational resources addressed explicitly to cancer patients, caregivers, and the lay public.

Indexed as

cancer patientscaregiverscitizensgeneticsgenetic testingknowledgeliteracyoncogenomics

Identifiers

PMID39857147
PMCPMC11765264

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.