specialist cancer genetic advice australia wide
Urgent appointments are available
Cancer is common, but only a small proportion of cancers are caused by an inherited genetic change. These changes can prevent a gene from working properly and increase a person’s chance of developing certain cancers.
We provide specialist genetic counselling for individuals and families who would like to better understand their personal or family history of cancer. We can assess whether an inherited cancer predisposition may be present, explain whether genetic testing may be appropriate, and help you understand what the information could mean for you and your family.
specialist cancer genetic advice australia wide
cancer genes
Cancer is common, and many of us know someone who has been affected. Sometimes cancer occurs in a family more often than would be expected by chance alone.
Features that may suggest a hereditary cancer predisposition include:
- cancer diagnosed at a younger age than usual
- more than one cancer diagnosed in the same person
- cancer affecting several blood relatives
- certain rare types of cancer
- particular combinations of cancers within a family
Hereditary cancer predisposition is caused by an inherited genetic change that increases a person’s chance of developing certain cancers. Genetic counselling can help assess the likelihood of a hereditary cancer predisposition in your family.
Genetic testing is available for inherited predispositions to many cancers, including breast, ovarian, bowel and uterine cancer.
specialist cancer genetic advice australia wide
family history
Genetic testing may examine a specific gene, a targeted group of genes or a broader cancer gene panel, depending on your personal and family history.
We provide comprehensive familial cancer assessments to determine whether genetic testing may be appropriate and, if so, which type of test is most likely to provide useful information for you and your family.
specialist cancer genetic advice australia wide
Could cancer in my family be hereditary?
Cancer is common, and most cancers are not caused by an inherited genetic change. However, certain features may suggest that a hereditary cancer predisposition is present in a family.
These can include:
- cancer diagnosed at a younger age than usual, such as bowel cancer before 50 or breast cancer before 40
- cancer affecting both breasts
- more than one separate cancer diagnosed in the same person
- several blood relatives with the same or related cancers
- particular combinations of cancer, such as breast and ovarian cancer, bowel and uterine cancer, or bowel and ovarian cancer
- rare cancers, including adrenocortical carcinoma, phaeochromocytoma, paraganglioma and some sarcomas
- triple-negative breast cancer or high-grade serous ovarian cancer
- bowel cancer occurring with multiple polyps
- a genetic change previously identified in a blood relative
These features do not necessarily mean that an inherited cancer predisposition is present. A genetic counsellor can assess your personal and family history and advise whether genetic testing may be appropriate.
specialist genetic advice australia wide
How we can help
reproductive genetics
We provide genetic counselling for preconception carrier screening, fertility and pregnancy, helping individuals and couples understand their screening and testing options.
clinical genetics
We work with individuals who have, or may have, a genetic condition. We provide information about diagnosis, management, inheritance and what a condition may mean for relatives.
cancer genetics
We provide specialist genetic counselling for individuals and families concerned about a personal or family history of cancer.
Telehealth
We provide convenient access to expert genetic counselling throughout Australia using Zoom Professional.