Update to germline cancer genomic testing for patients
We would like to update you on the delays to turnaround times and backlogs within the East Genomic Laboratory Hub for the genomic testing service of Inherited Cancer for patients tested at the Cambridge Genomics laboratory.
Clinical indications affected:
- Inherited breast cancer and ovarian cancer (R208)
- Inherited ovarian cancer (without breast cancer) (R207)
- Inherited MMR deficiency (Lynch syndrome) (R210)
- NICE approved PARP inhibitor treatment (R444)
- APC associated polyposis (R414)
- Inherited polyposis and early onset colorectal cancer - germline testing (R211)
- Inherited prostate cancer (R430)
As you know, we are working hard to improve the situation for our patients, and have prioritised these tests. Whilst the commissioned turnaround time for the above tests is 42 days, our current turnaround for tests flagged to us by ordering clinicians as priority is approximately 3-4 months. This time is expected to continue to decrease, with additional scientific staff and training allocated to this service.
In order to help us continue to improve the service, please contact us at cuh.geneticslaboratories@nhs.net if you have referred patients for whom a result will affect near term surgical decisions or systemic treatment and thereby require us to prioritise, or you have any questions.
We recognise that clinicians and patients value having knowledge of actual turnaround times for all tests requested, not just those requested as priority. We are working towards providing all turnaround times for inherited cancer tests as a standard offering on our website, and will communicate further once this is possible.