Familial Cancer

For the full range of tests provided and information on sample requirements, please refer to the Online Test Directory.

PathWest Department of Diagnostic Genomics offers comprehensive testing for individuals with features suggestive of a heritable familial cancer syndrome.

Analysis for germline disease-causing (pathogenic) variants is available to specialists who are managing the treatment of a patient if certain criteria are met, as specified under the relevant Medicare Item numbers:

  • Breast and ovarian cancer – 73295, 73296, 73302
  • Von Hippel-Lindau – 73333
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (RET gene) – 73339
  • Lynch syndrome – 73354
  • Adenomatous polyposis - 73355
  • Non-adenomatous polyposis - 73356.

For conditions covered by Medicare where criteria for testing are not met, testing may be available upon appropriate consent.

For other diagnostic familial cancer genetic requests, testing may be accessed through referral to Genetic Services of Western Australia (GSWA) or a local Clinical Genetics service. Australian referral guidelines for familial cancer genetics are available at www.eviq.org.au.Genetic Services of Western Australia (GSWA) can be contacted on (08) 6458 1525.

Please note, formal genetic counselling is required for all predictive (pre-symptomatic) test requests for a known familial variant.

 

Last Updated: 01/12/2021