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NHS
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HDL(2001)24
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CANCER GENETICS
SERVICES IN SCOTLAND Summary 1. The guidance attached to this HDL sets out the core principles which should govern the implementation of cancer genetic services in breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer in Scotland. 2. The 1998 Report Cancer Genetics Services in Scotland issued under MEL 1998 (73) identified a framework for the development of these specialist services throughout Scotland. Arising from the recommendations of that report Genetic Nurse Associate posts have been established in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The need for further guidance to support full implementation was also identified. This HDL provides that guidance. Background 3. Breast, colorectal and ovarian malignant diseases are all common forms of cancer in the Scottish population. Recent medical advances have established that a number of these common cancers are caused by inherited genes. Although the proportion is small, the lifetime risk of cancer can be very high in susceptible individuals who have inherited predisposing genes. Thus it is of great importance to identify these individuals and arrange that they, and other family members where appropriate, are screened for risk of developing cancer. Action required: By Health Boards and Trusts 4. Dissemination and implementation of this guidance. Copies should be sent to health care professionals, General Practitioners and others. Further copies of the quick reference guide, prepared in collaboration with the Cancer Research Campaign, are available from Regional Genetics Units. |
27th
March 2001 Addresses For information
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5. Relevant professionals should work together to establish a clear referral pathway for susceptible or potentially susceptible individuals to Regional Genetics Units. By Regional Genetics Units 6. Stratification and identification of individuals referred for advice into low medium or high risk groups with clear referral pathways agreed locally. 7. Further identification and counselling of individuals requiring clinical surveillance, gene testing or family screening for inherited cancers. 8. Onward referral of persons with overt cancer from the Regional Genetics Unit to the relevant clinical cancer services. By Scottish Executive Health Department 9. The Cancer genetics sub-group of the Scottish Cancer Group (SCG) will be responsible for the evaluation of the cancer genetic services through appropriate external peer review and quality assessment and subsequent reporting to the SCG and SEHD. This HDL and guidance is available on the Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) web site: http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk A copy of the full report on which this guidance is based is also available on the website and is being sent to Regional Genetics Units. Yours sincerely
Annex
CANCER GENETICS SERVICES IN SCOTLAND Professional bodies/other organisations to whom this letter and Annex have been sent are: - Members of the
Scottish Cancer Group |