Genetic Testing
Through genetic testing, we can access risks you may possess from certain gene mutations and management, based on your family/personal history and that of your genetic results. Our consultant can also provide advice on genetic predisposition, breast malignancy and breast screening options.
What happens during your appointment?
Your consultant will assess your individual risk factors and discuss the benefits and limitations of available screening options, including emerging technologies. We’ll explore whether genetic testing is appropriate for you and, if so, explain the process involved. If genetic testing isn’t suitable, we’ll discuss alternative screening methods.
What are the different genetic tests available?
Based on your initial assessment and discussion on the various available test options, your consultant may advise you on proceeding with one of the mentioned genetic test options.
Breast and Ovarian Cancer panel
This test will analysis several different genes, such as the BRCA genes and will detect if you may have Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome or a fault in other genes that have strong evidence that they relate to breast and ovarian cancer. If HBOC runs in your family it may be because of a mutation or alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. This may increase your risk of developing other cancers.
Are you suitable for the test?
This depends on whether you/ your family have had:
- breast cancer diagnosed at less than 50 years old
- two primary breast cancers in the same individual
- two individuals with breast cancer on the same side of the family
- both breast and ovarian cancer at any age
- male breast cancer at any age
- triple negative breast cancer
- previously identified BRCA or other gene mutation in the family
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with an HBOC associated cancer
- pancreatic cancer with an additional HBOC associated cancer
- ovarian cancer at any age
Comprehensive Inherited Genetic Panel testing
Your consultant has access to a range of inherited genetic panel testing run by fully accredited laboratories and will discuss the most appropriate option with you at your appointment. These panels look at a wide range of genes associated with the risk of several familial cancers, including breast, colorectal, gastrointestinal, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, renal, non-melanoma skin, stomach, uterine, and womb cancers.
This test can be very helpful in patients with a complicated or unusual family history of cancers to determine whether the cancer is hereditary.
