Criteria for referral to public hospital service

• Person with high risk due to a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer occurring in two first-or second-degree relatives on the same side of the family, plus one or more of the following features:
  • additional relatives with breast cancer or ovarian cancer
  • a relative with both breast and ovarian cancer
  • breast cancer diagnosed before the age of 40
  • breast cancer affecting both breasts
  • Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
  • breast cancer in a male relative
  • a relative who has tested positive for a high-risk gene mutation e.g. mutation in genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.
• Findings from breast screening that includes advice that an assessment is recommended
• Referral from a Familial Cancer Centre.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

• Most recent mammography results including when and where imaging was performed
• Family history of breast cancer including:
  • the number of the patient’s blood relatives who have had cancer
  • the ages of these family members when they developed cancer
  • any carrier of a known mutation or familial cancer syndrome
  • the pattern of cancer in the patient’s family
  • if the patient’s family has a particular geographical/ethnic background
• Patient age.

Provide if available

• A summary of the genetic testing and risks identified during assessment and counselling including characterisation of pathogenic gene variants
• If the person identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Additional comments

The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

• At low or slightly above average risk where there is no family history of breast cancer
• Moderate risk due to family history of breast cancer
• Referrals for familial cancer services should be directed to publicly funded familial cancer centres.
• Referrals for genetic testing should be directed to publicly funded genetic testing clinics.