Queensland Government
Queensland Government
Home / Refer your patient / Genetics (Cancer) / Untested blood relative of a person with an identified mutation in a cancer predisposition gene (A/P-UN)

Untested blood relative of a person with an identified mutation in a cancer predisposition gene (A/P-UN)

(Adult and Paediatric Conditions in UNAFFECTED Patients)

Emergency department referrals

If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  • No referrals to emergency relating to clinical genetics

Does your patient wish to be referred?

Minimum referral criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days is desirable

  • A cancer affected patient for whom the results will change local or systemic management
  • A patient with a limited life expectancy who has children
  • Where the results will change the nature of imminently planned non-cancer surgery (e.g. hysterectomy)
  • The patient or their partner is pregnant and the results of testing will inform management of the pregnancy

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days is desirable

  • All patients referred for predictive testing for a GHQ accepted gene/variant (see Other useful information) in a patient of an appropriate age who does not fulfil criteria for Category 1.
  • The child of a parent with mosaicism in a cancer predisposition gene (common examples would include NF2, RB1 and VHL).
  • Parents of a child in whom a copy number variant involving a cancer predisposition gene has been identified on chromosome microarray.

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days is desirable

  • Patients referred with a family history of an identified mutation/variant in a gene of low or unknown clinical utility or with a family history of an unclassified variant (see below)

If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria

Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.

If you still need to refer your patient:

  • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Other important information for referring practitioners

Not an exhaustive list

  • In order to offer predictive testing, the patient needs to be able to provide sufficient information for Genetic Health Queensland (GHQ) to obtain details of the familial mutation and where possible, familial control DNA for testing. This information may include one or more of the following: copies of a relative’s genetic test report, family letters (a de-identified family information letter provided by a genetics service), names and DOB of relevant family members and details of the genetic services where genetic testing has been done. This information should not be included with the referral but will subsequently be requested by GHQ.
  • List of cancer predisposition genes for which GHQ offers predictive (presymptomatic) testing when clinically appropriate after genetic counselling when a mutation (pathogenic/class 5 or likely pathogenic/class 4 variant) has been identified in a relative (dominant conditions)
  • GHQ offers publicly funded carrier genetic testing to the partner of an individual with homozygous or compound heterozygous MUTYH mutations if the couple has or is planning children.
  • A case by case decision will be made about the clinical utility of offering predictive testing for genes/variants not listed above. If genetic testing is not offered, the patient will be offered advice about cancer risks and recommended risk management strategies based on their family history.
  • Predictive genetic testing is offered to children and adolescents if the results of genetic testing will change management i.e. for conditions where surveillance and/or risk reducing surgery is recommended in childhood. (see eviQ Risk management guidelines)
  • When a child has been referred for predictive testing for a gene mutation associated with adult onset cancer risks, the referring doctor and parents will be provided information about appropriate age of re-referral
  • Presymptomatic testing will not be offered for the following:
    • variant of uncertain significance (unclassified or class 3 variant)
    • variant in a gene of limited or unknown clinical utility (e.g. MTHFR)
    • non-confirmed variant/s identified using non-NATA accredited direct to consumer “SNP” based technology
  • GHQ may provide families with partially completed referral proformas to facilitate referral. These referrals need to be completed IN FULL by the referring doctor.
  • Presymptomatic (predictive) gene testing should only be offered by a geneticist or genetic counsellor following genetic counselling and written informed consent (see HGSA guidelines).
  • Patients who are referred for predictive gene testing where GHQ is unable to offer a test due to any of the reasons listed above will be re-allocated to the Category 3 waitlist from Category 2.
  • Patients initially allocated to a Category 3 waitlist who are subsequently identified as part of a family with a known gene mutation may be reallocated to Category 2.
  • Clinical urgency is the dominant consideration in the prioritisation of a referral for a child currently in out of home care (OOHC), or at risk of entering or leaving OOHC.

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral information

  • As much detail as possible about the patient’s personal history of cancer (if relevant) including the following:
    • type/s of cancer
    • age at diagnosis
    • treatment including outcome or planned treatment
    • relevant pathology (if results are available on Auslab please indicate this on referral)
  • Relevant past medical history including the following
    • surveillance to date
    • relevant surgery (e.g. hysterectomy) with attached histopathology if available
  • Name of gene in which mutation identified and/or name of familial cancer predisposition syndrome identified in family
  • Confirmation of OOHC (where appropriate) and contact details to send correspondence for OOHC

Additional useful information (useful for processing the referral)

  • If the family is known to GHQ, include the GHQ reference number (GF) if known
  • If the family are known to another genetic service and it is known, the name of the service and family reference number
  • Attach the “family information letter” if available
  • To preserve confidentiality, do NOT include details or attach reports which identify another family member with the referral (see below)

Out of catchment

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

  • Impact on employment
  • Impact on education
  • Impact on home
  • Impact on activities of daily living
  • Impact on ability to care for others
  • Impact on personal frailty or safety
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

  • Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
  • Physical findings
  • Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
  • Current medications and dosages
  • Drug allergies
  • Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

  • Full name (including aliases)
  • Date of birth
  • Residential and postal address
  • Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
  • Medicare number (where eligible)
  • Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
  • Preferred language and interpreter requirements
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • Full name
  • Full address
  • Contact details – telephone, fax, email
  • Provider number
  • Date of referral
  • Signature

  • Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
  • Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
  • Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Send referral

Hotline: 1300 364 938

Medical Objects ID: MQ40290004P
HealthLink EDI: qldmnhhs

Mail:
Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776  Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034

Health pathways

Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.

For login details email:
healthpathways@brisbanenorthphn.org.au

Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.healthpathwayscommunity.org

Resources

Clinical resources

Patient resources

Back to top