"The Nurse's Role in Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Neoplastic Syndromes: A Scoping Review"

To map the professional roles of nurses in genetic counseling (GC) for hereditary neoplastic syndromes (HNS).

A scoping review was conducted following the JBI methodological framework. The search involved three stages-strategy validation, database querying, and reference tracking-and included SCOPUS, Medline via PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science, between March and April 2024.

From 1,089 identified records, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in the United States (12/66.6%). The roles of nurses in GC included risk assessment, pre- and post-test counseling, and patient follow-up. Fewer studies reported nurse-led coordination of GC services, reflecting a gap in leadership and institutional autonomy. The scope of practice varied depending on professional training, national regulations, and local protocols.

This scoping review substantiates nurses' central role in GC for HNS. However, their autonomy is constrained by policies and inequities. Enhanced education and standardized nurse-led protocols can strengthen GC, reduce disparities, and expedite prevention.

To meet the rising demand for oncology genetic services, policymakers should fund nurse education and training, clarify professional roles, and expand nurses' decision-making autonomy in GC. Scaling nurse-led, standardized risk-assessment and screening-particularly in primary care and underserved settings-can accelerate preventive access. Establishing nurse-led regional networks will improve equity, reduce disparities, and align cancer genetics services with local health-system contexts by addressing structural barriers.