Speciality: General Surgery
Age group: Adult
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/or 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 .
- Referrals for genetic testing should be directed to publicly funded genetic testing clinics.
Reviewed 27 May 2025