Genetic testing

Afraser

Seven - News (01/11/2017 18:19)
Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer to no longer have to pay for related genetic testing, with the test added to Medicare along with more than 30 other treatments. 

LMK74

@Afraser, I watched that as well. Good news for those with a family history as a lol of people can't afford to pay.

primek

Did it detail how many they consider family history? For most with 1 in 8 with breast cancer just about everyone would have family history.

I did a quick search and just found this on the BCNA site. I didn't see it in posts which is odd.

https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2017/10/bcna-welcomes-new-medicare-rebates-for-genetic-testing/

Afraser

Thanks Primek, I popped it up as I get a regular news stream but only the headline. I didn't have any family history (sadly my daughter now does). But glad to see the test now covered.

onemargie

I had the genetic test for free at the royal Brisbane  thankfully negative as I was under 50 with no family history and was triple neg bc. If I was positive then my kids could of had it done for free as well and I had the test 12 months ago. Margie xx 

wendy55

Hi ladies,
my oncologist advised me to have the genetic testing as 2 cousins of mine on my fathers side had both had bc, I had this done at the Royal Adelaide Hospital - test came back inconclusive for either gene, this test did not incur any fee, however my sister who lives in melbourne was quoted $5000. to have the same test,which she did not, based on my results, however she is now under observation and has 1 free mri scan per year because of my history, I have yet to find out when my granddaughter who is nearly 17 will have to start thinking about all of this,I was also told my son who is 45 could have a
higher chance of getting prostate cancer,it just goes on and on, if I had had no family I wouldnt have had the test done, but with a son and grandaughter in the mix it was a no brainer, so now they have my history on file and if any member of my family gets cancer they will add all of their information to this file and its kept indefinately.I might add that I also had early stage ovarian cancer when I was 29 {I am now 62} I had all of the treatment needed at the time, surgery, radioactive phosphorous and of course hysterectomy, however the scientists at the rah concluded that that had no bearing on my getting the stage 4 diagnosis 4 years ago, go figure that out, anyway just quickly visit to Oncologist yesterday cancer markers are still low, xeloda doing its job, and scans in mid December, so all in all everything ok!!!
wendy55

iserbrown

@wendy55 Whoo hoo!  markers low, sounds like you're doing well!
 Interesting about the genetic testing.  Since I was diagnosed I have 2 cousins on my Dad's side, one has lost the battle and the other is early stage - perhaps I need to mention this at my next visit!
Thanks for prompting the thought process!
Have a great weekend and good on you for markers low, that is fab!  Take care xx

wendy55

yes, thats interesting, my dads sisters two daughters who had bc, one was 29 when she was diagnosed shes now 69
andthen her sister who was diagnosed at 57 - interestingly enough not once did any gp insist on more screening for me, I made the decision when I was 40 to start having mammograms for my own peace of mind, and yet no one asked any questions including breascreen sa, they had my history, so work that out, it was only because that my mother had non hodgkins lymphoma that I chose to start having mammograms, the word cancer scared the hell out of me plus I had already had one dose already, I had been on hormone therapy for 30 years and NO ONE questioned it!!! things have certainly changed now though,I think the criteria is you have to have at least 2 first cousins who have had bc to warrant genetic testing, thank goodness I have a fantastic Oncologist and am receiving the best care, if I only knew then what I know now hindsight is a fantastic thing!!!
wendy55

primek

Breastscreen only consider 1st line relatives for breast cancer risk. Genetic specialist however map much more extensively and they like to know about all cancers because with some genetic mutations you are at risk for several different cancers. I believe even having the conversation is invaluable.