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Oncology nurses don't need to be genetics experts — but they do need the basics. A presentation at ONS Bridge 2026 highlighted how understanding colorectal cancer's genomic underpinnings, from inherited syndromes like Lynch syndrome to circulating tumor DNA, can help nurses better guide patients and know when to refer. With CRC causing ~2 million new cases globally each year, genomic literacy is becoming a nursing essential.
Oncology nurses are increasingly fielding genomics questions from patients — and many aren't equipped to answer them. At ONS Bridge 2026, research geneticist Dr. Kathleen Calzone made the case that every nurse, regardless of specialty or training level, needs a foundational understanding of cancer genomics. The focus? Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common and genomically complex cancers out there.
Dr. Calzone walked through the key inherited CRC syndromes nurses should recognize, including Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP), and PTEN hamartoma syndrome — each with distinct genetic causes and cancer risk profiles. She also covered circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a tool for disease monitoring and detecting minimal residual disease after treatment.
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Why it matters: Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients navigating a cancer diagnosis — and genomic literacy can directly improve risk counseling, screening conversations, and care coordination. As genomic testing becomes more routine, closing this knowledge gap isn't optional; it's a patient safety issue.
