The following training and resources are intended to help non-genetic healthcare professionals integrate genetic testing into the routine care of their breast cancer patients.
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Suggested training for healthcare professionals and FAQ
E-learning module (under construction)
Read the FAQ document in full.
The Genetic Medicine service welcomes contact from any healthcare professional who would like additional training or further discussion about their competency. Please contact genetic.medicine@belfasttrust.hscni.net to arrange this.
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Requesting genetic testing for your patients
- R208 inherited breast cancer criteria form for mainstream clinicians
- R444 .1 NICE approved PARP inhibitor treatment criteria form for mainstream clinicians
- Test request form
- Guidance on how to complete the above forms
- Testing flow chart protocol taken from FAQ
- Recent user bulletins regarding genetic testing.
The above must be sent to the Regional Molecular Diagnostic Service, Belfast City Hospital accompanied by our standard genetics blood collection form and patient consent. The laboratory will not process samples that are accompanied by incomplete or incorrect forms. Please ensure that all of the required information is completed (and legible) before sending your blood sample.
Non-healthcare professionals are not permitted to request genetic testing.
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Patient information leaflets
Breast and ovarian cancer predictive testing
This information leaflet is aimed at individuals who are considering genetic testing for a known genetic variant in the family in BRCA1, BRCA2 and related genes.
Breast and ovarian cancer diagnostic testing (BC01)
This information leaflet is aimed at individuals who have had a diagnosis of cancer, and are considering genetic testing of BRCA1, BRCA2 and related genes.
Information leaflets for patients who receive a positive diagnosis of a variant in the following genes:
Other parent information leaflets:
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Suggested template results letters
Please ensure template letters are amended appropriately for each patient to include the correct details.
Negative / “normal” result letter – to be accompanied by information sheet BC02
Variant of uncertain significance (VUS) result letter* – to be accompanied by information sheet BC03
Suggested template letters for patients with a positive / causative finding in the following genes*:
ATM – to be accompanied by info leaflet
BRCA1 – to be accompanied by info leaflet
BRCA2 – to be accompanied by info leaflet
CHEK2 – to be accompanied by info leaflet
PALB2 – to be accompanied by info leaflet
PTEN – to be accompanied by info leaflet
RAD51C – to be accompanied by info leaflet
RAD51D – to be accompanied by info leaflet
TP53 – to be accompanied by info leaflet
*Onward referrals to the genetics service for those with a pathogenic variant or VUS can be made via email (genetic.medicine@belfasttrust.hscni.net), on ECR, or by post to the Regional Genetics Department, Belfast City Hospital.
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Useful resources for healthcare professionals
- UK Cancer Genetics Group (CGG) gene-specific leaflets and management guidelines
- CanRisk website, including ‘how to’ videos
- Manchester Scoring System information sheet
- National genomic test directory: On this webpage the ‘Rare and inherited disease eligibility criteria’ PDF document can be accessed. To find the current R208 panel testing indications, the correct page will be listed under ‘Part XI. Inherited cancer’ in the contents.
- PROTECTOR study
- Information for patients
- Information for healthcare professionals
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Requesting advice from the Clinical Genetics team
If you have any queries, please contact genetic.medicine@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Any urgent queries should be directed to the on-call genetic counsellor at 028 9504 8022 (available 9-5 Monday-Friday)