Cancer Genetics

Most cancers happen by chance (sporadic) but a small amount of cancer cases may be inherited. The cancer genetics service can help evaluate an individual’s risk of an inherited cancer and offer genetic testing if appropriate.

Appointments with the CUH Cancer Genetics Service

• Diagnostic appointment: For individuals who have been diagnosed with a cancer to learn if their cancer may be due to an inherited gene variant.
• Predictive appointment: For individuals whose relative (related by blood) has been found to have a cancer gene variant.

How to be referred to the CUH Cancer Genetics Service

Ask your GP or consultant if you are eligible for a referral to the CUH Cancer Genetics Clinic. Once a referral is received, the team will review your information and assess if you are eligible for a genetic test. The CUH Cancer Genetics Clinic catchment area includes HSE South South West (Cork and Kerry).

Referrals can be directed to Dr Hazel O’Sullivan, Medical Oncologist with a Special Interest in Cancer Genetics.

Queries can be emailed to : cuh.cancergenetics@hse.ie

What does a genetic clinic appointment involve?

If you are eligible for a genetic test, your clinician will discuss what this might mean for you and your family. You can then decide if you want to have a test. Some people take some time to decide if they wish to have a test.

If you decide to proceed we take a saliva sample using a special kit with a swab. For this reason we ask that you do not eat or drink for 30 minutes before your appointment.

If you are having a virtual appointment we can forward the test kit to your house.

CUH Cancer Genetics Team

• Dr Hazel O’Sullivan- Consultant Medical Oncologist with a Special Interest in Cancer Genetics
• Mare Duff- Principal Genetic Counsellor
• Prof Anand Saggar- Consultant Geneticist
• Hilary Lotty- Data Manager
• Caroline Radford- Genomic Resource Associate
• Fiona Kane- Secretary

CUH Breast Family History Service

What is the Breast Family History Service?

The breast family history service in Cork University Hospital is a nurse-led service. This clinic assesses an individual’s risk of breast cancer based on their family history. If appropriate the clinic will make screening recommendations and onward referrals for a genetic assessment.

How to be referred to the CUH Breast Family History Service

Referrals into the breast family history service must be from a GP or hospital consultant. If the referral meets the clinic criteria, a letter with instructions on how to submit family history information will be sent to the patient. The patient has four weeks to submit the information.

Once the information has been submitted the patient will be offered either a phone clinic appointment or a face-to-face clinic appointment to discuss their family history information, risk and if appropriate further observation options such as a mammogram and onward referrals for an expert genetics opinion.

Please note, this clinic only reviews breast cancer risk. If you are concerned about a new breast symptom or a potential familial risk of cancers other than breast cancer, talk to your GP who can refer you to an appropriate clinic.

CUH Breast Family History Service Referral Criteria can be found here: NICE referral criteria 

Information on breast cancer risk can be found here:

English: High Risk   -  Moderate Risk   -   Near Population Risk

Lithuanian: High Risk   -  Moderate Risk   -   Near Population Risk

Polish: High Risk   -  Moderate Risk   -   Near Population Risk

Romanian: High Risk   -  Moderate Risk   -   Near Population Risk

Ukrainian: High Risk   -  Moderate Risk   -   Near Population Risk

Breast Cancer Surgical Oncoprevention Pathway

Cork University Hospital (CUH) provides a clear and structured pathway of care to support individuals considering risk-reducing breast surgery. This process includes detailed discussions about reconstructive options and access to psychological support, ensuring that decisions are well-informed and patient-centred.

There are several breast reconstruction options available, and the multidisciplinary team will guide each individual in choosing the approach that best suits their needs.

All risk-reducing breast surgeries are performed at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) — an elective teaching hospital in Cork City affiliated with University College Cork. The SIVUH is home to Ireland’s first protected theatre resource dedicated to surgical oncoprevention for individuals identified as being at high risk of breast cancer.

A team of experienced plastic surgeons and surgical oncologists work closely together to provide comprehensive, personalised care for individuals at high risk of breast cancer. Each person availing of the service will meet with both specialties to ensure all aspects of their care are fully explored.

Once surgery has been planned, the Clinical Nurse Specialist attached to the Surgical Oncoprevention Service will contact each patient. Our nurse specialist acts as the link between hospitals, providing guidance and support throughout the surgical journey and recovery process.

Referrals can be made to Professor Mark Corrigan, Consultant Breast Surgeon.

CUMH Gynaecology Cancer Risk Reduction Clinic

What is the Gynaecology cancer risk reduction clinic?

The Gynae Cancer Risk Reduction clinic is a dedicated clinic for women with a known pathogenic gene variant pre-disposing to the development of a gynaecological cancer.

Gynaecology cancer risk reduction clinic referral criteria:

• Individual with a known genetic mutation predisposing to a gynaecological cancer i.e. BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C, RAD51D, BRIP1, DICER1, PALB2, Lynch Syndrome i.e. MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM

OR

• Individual deemed moderate/high risk of developing a gynaecological cancer as per a genetic assessment.

Exclusions

Patients referred to the service based on ‘family history’ with no known genetic variant and no genetic risk assessment will not be accepted. A letter will be sent to the referrer outlining the need for these patients to be assessed by a clinical genetics service

If these patients are subsequently deemed as moderate/high risk (by genetics), re-referral to the Gynae Cancer RRC will be accepted (as outlined above).

CUMH Gynaecology Cancer Risk Reduction Research

The TUBA WISP 11 clinical trial is currently open in Cork University Maternity Hospital. This trial offers women with known pathogenic gene variants related to gynaecological cancer wider risk reduction options. More information can be found here https://www.tuba-wisp.org/