Most GPs will receive many queries from patients concerned about whether cancer runs in their family.
Because cancer is common, with a 1 in 3 lifetime risk, many of us will have a history of cancer within the family, but familial cancers only account for approximately 5%-10% of all cancers.
A GP needs to feel confident in reassuring the vast majority of patients that they are at general population risk (low risk) whilst being able to identify those who are at possible increased risk who would benefit from a referral to Genetics.
Ideally, a referral to clinical genetics would be accompanied by a completed family history questionnaire.
This allows the genetics department to seek to verify cancer diagnoses via the cancer registry/medical records and so allow an accurate assessment of a patient’s risk.
Cancer family history referral
Referrals can be made by letter to:
MacMillan Cancer Family History Service
James Cook University Hospital
Marton Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW
Tel: 0164 228 2673
OR
Clinical Genetics Service
International Centre for Life
Central Parkway
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3BZ
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0191 241 8600
When to suspect familial cancer
There are some clues in a patient’s history which may suggest the possibility of a familial cancer:
- The same cancer or related cancers in two or more close relatives (on the same side of the family).
- Cancer diagnosed in relatives at a young age.
- Multiple primary cancers occurring in the same person.
- Bilateral or multiple rare cancers.
- Known associated groupings of cancers e.g. breast and ovarian, bowel and endometrium, breast and sarcoma.
- An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.
