About Us
The ActioN study is a joint collaboration between Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile Ife, Nigeria. This program is supported by the Health Equity Grand Challenge and aims to address global inequities in breast cancer genetic testing, counselling, and management among breast cancer patients in Nigeria.
The results of this study will improve outcomes for Nigerian patients, identify knowledge gaps for providers and add to the growing body of literature on breast cancer patients globally, laying the foundation for breast cancer genetic testing as standard of care in Nigeria
Aim 1
Develop and assess an educational curriculum to train Nigerian HCPs in genetic testing/ counselling
This training curriculum will empower Nigerian nurses, surgeons, and oncologists to use risk stratification tools to identify and counsel patients regarding breast cancer genetic testing.
Since there is no separate cadre of clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors in Nigeria as there are in North America, the
most appropriate and cost-effective means for providing genetic counselling services is through the clinicians.
Aim 2
Develop and assess patient education content regarding genetic counselling/testing
We will develop patient educational videos and pamphlets to support patients having conversations about genetic testing with their doctor and family members, ensuring the materials are culturally safe, relatable, and available in local dialects.
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Aim 3
Assess the feasibility of BRCA 1/2 testing among Nigerian breast cancer patients
A cross-sectional study of BRCA 1/2 mutation prevalence among patients presenting with an invasive breast cancer diagnosis. The pilot study aims to enroll 100 newly diagnosed patients across three centers in Nigeria (Ile-Ife, Ilorin, and Abakaliki). Saliva-based next generation sequencing via remote mail-in testing will be conducted. We are anticipating that 10-20% of patients will be identified as BRCA1/2 carriers
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Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital