Genomic testing at APC
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men. Each year, approximately 17,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is also more common in men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer, and in families who carry certain “hereditary cancer” genes such as the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
APC now offers suitable patients the option of genomic testing. Specifically, this is a test to see if a man carries one of many particular genes known to be involved in the development or behaviour of certain prostate cancers. If such a gene is found, it suggests alternative treatment options based on the particular gene found and informs our medical specialists in developing a more precise treatment plan for different patients. The test involves analyzing a patient’s genes from a saliva sample to check for inherited cancer genes related to prostate cancer.
If you have been referred to APC’s Genomic Services to discuss the options of genomic testing, it is to see if you carry a hereditary prostate cancer gene, which could impact your treatment options.
Genomic Testing explained
A positive result means that a hereditary cancer gene related to prostate cancer has been found.
A negative result means that a hereditary cancer gene has not been found.
An uncertain result (variant of uncertain significance) means a variation of a hereditary cancer gene has been found. The significance of this is uncertain. Either way, you will receive the optimum treatment to suit you.
If a Genomic Test finds a gene related to prostate cancer, it can help patients significantly. Alternative treatment options may be suggested based on the particular gene found, and will inform medical specialists in developing a more precise treatment plan to suit individual patients.
If you are found to carry one of the hereditary cancer related genes, then it is important to consider sharing this information with your family and at-risk relatives, so they may benefit from this information and be offered genetic counselling and personalised cancer surveillance recommendations.
If your test is positive, and any of your family members wish to undergo Genomic Testing, they can access free testing for that identified gene within 90 days through the testing company Invitae.
Recent local and international cancer research has shown the significance of a person’s genetic makeup in terms of risk in developing certain cancers.
APC now offers suitable patients the option of genomic testing. Specifically, this is a test to see if a man carries one of many particular genes known to be involved in the development or behaviour of certain prostate cancers. If such a gene is found, it suggests alternative treatment options based on the particular gene found, and informs our medical specialists in developing a more precise treatment plan for different patients
The prostate cancer GP and medical oncologists at APC can advise you on your suitability for genomic testing, and includes pre-test counselling.
