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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Fiona Douglas, Michelle Watson, Jamie Burn
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The objective was to describe NHS cancer genetic counselling services and compare UK regions. The study design was a cross-sectional study over 4 weeks and attendee survey. The setting was 22 of the 24 regional cancer genetics services in the UK NHS. Participants were individuals aged over 18 attending clinics at these services. Outcome measures were staff levels. referral rates. consultation rates, follow-up plans, waiting time. There were only 11 dedicated cancer geneticists across the 22 centres. Referrals were mainly concerned with breast (63%) bowel (18%) and ovarian (12%) cancers. Only 7% of referrals were for men and 3% were for individuals from ethnic minorities. Referral rates varied from 76 to 410 per million per annum across the regions. Median waiting time for an initial appointment was 19 weeks, ranging across regions from 4 to 53 weeks. Individuals at population-level genetic risk accounted for 27% of consultations (range 0%, 58%). Shortfalls in cancer genetics staff and in the provision of genetic testing and cancer surveillance have resulted in large regional variations in access to care. Initiatives to disseminate referral and management guidelines to cancer units and primary care should be adequately resourced so that clinical genetics teams can focus on the genetic testing and management of high-risk families. (C) 2001 Cancer Research Campaign hftp//www.bjcancer.com.
Author(s): Wonderling D, Hopwood P, Cull A, Douglas F, Watson M, Burn J, McPherson K
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of Cancer
Year: 2001
Volume: 85
Issue: 2
Pages: 166-170
ISSN (print): 0007-0920
ISSN (electronic): 1532-1827
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1054/bjoc.2001.1893
DOI: 10.1054/bjoc.2001.1893
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