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20/02/2004
Pilot scheme to target patients with inherited cancer risk
People who are deemed to have an increase cancer risk through inherited genetic disorders are set to benefit from a new £1.5 million testing, care and support programme.
A small proportion of breast, ovarian and bowel cancers are associated with particular inherited genes, and testing for these genes can identify whether someone with a strong family history of the disease is likely to develop it.
The Department of Health and Macmillian Cancer Relief are funding a programme of pilot projects which will identify patients at risk and provide them with appropriate advice, support and care.
The pilot scheme will run in south west London, north Kirklees, Bradford, south Durham, Teeside, north Yorkshire and south east London.
In each area GPs, cancer services will work together to ensure patients who are concerned about their family history of cancer are properly assessed and receive future care which is appropriate to their level of risk.
For many patients the outcome of their assessment will be simple reassurance and counselling that no further intervention is needed. For others it will involve genetic testing to more accurately gauge their level of risk and advice and support around prevention and treatment options.
Health Minister Lord Warner said: "By working closely with Macmillan Cancer Relief, service users and leading experts in cancer and genetics we will explore better ways of providing access to services for hereditary cancer to NHS patients who could benefit. The experiences and results of these pilots will be used to develop future cancer genetics services in England."
(gmcg)
A small proportion of breast, ovarian and bowel cancers are associated with particular inherited genes, and testing for these genes can identify whether someone with a strong family history of the disease is likely to develop it.
The Department of Health and Macmillian Cancer Relief are funding a programme of pilot projects which will identify patients at risk and provide them with appropriate advice, support and care.
The pilot scheme will run in south west London, north Kirklees, Bradford, south Durham, Teeside, north Yorkshire and south east London.
In each area GPs, cancer services will work together to ensure patients who are concerned about their family history of cancer are properly assessed and receive future care which is appropriate to their level of risk.
For many patients the outcome of their assessment will be simple reassurance and counselling that no further intervention is needed. For others it will involve genetic testing to more accurately gauge their level of risk and advice and support around prevention and treatment options.
Health Minister Lord Warner said: "By working closely with Macmillan Cancer Relief, service users and leading experts in cancer and genetics we will explore better ways of providing access to services for hereditary cancer to NHS patients who could benefit. The experiences and results of these pilots will be used to develop future cancer genetics services in England."
(gmcg)
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