The Mater Private Hospital has officially opened a new Cancer Genetics Clinic which will be headed up by Dr. David Gallagher, who dual trained in medical oncology and genetics and has recently joined The Mater Private Hospital from the world renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. Also joining The Mater Private team is experienced cancer genetics Clinical Nurse Specialist Mr. Michael Farrell, who was previously based at St. James Hospital, Dublin.

The primary aim of the new cancer genetics service at the Mater Private Hospital is to offer preventative care for individuals who have an increased risk of developing cancer. An increased understanding of hereditary predisposition to cancer is providing a new direction in cancer treatment, particularly with respect to diagnosis, management and ultimately prevention. The goal of cancer genetics, which is an expanding area of clinical practice, is to reduce mortality among high risk individuals.

The process begins by recording accurate data on family members, both those affected by cancer and those unaffected. This is traced through at least three generations, with the emphasis on the types of cancer and the age at diagnosis. Hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome and Lynch syndrome are the two commonest cancer predisposition syndromes that are tested for in a cancer genetics clinic, but many other tests for rare cancer predisposition syndromes are clinically available. Breast cancer is the malignancy that most commonly leads to a cancer genetics referral. The clinical features that should lead to suspicion of inherited predisposition to breast cancer for example are early age at onset, cancer in both breasts, multiple cases of breast and ovarian cancer in the family, male breast cancer and breast and ovarian cancer in the same individual.

Speaking about the launch of the new cancer genetics clinic, Dr. David Gallagher said

“From my experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering, I believe that improved access to cancer genetics services and integration of these services into designated cancer centres can meaningfully contribute to cancer prevention in Ireland. The provision of risk assessment and prevention counseling services is paramount to the success of a comprehensive cancer care programme. The addition of a genetics service provides a preventive as well as personalised medicine component to The Mater Private Cancer Centre. Increased awareness of hereditary predisposition has increased demand for genetic counselling and genetic testing, and improved access to this service is imperative to allow affected families avail of cancer prevention and early-detection methods. Timely intervention will help individuals with a genetic risk of cancer to clarify their risk status and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality, prolong life. Women receiving positive genetic test results have cited relief from uncertainty and anxiety and consider the knowledge gained a positive factor in the ability to make active decisions about their healthcare. The decision as to whether to pursue a screening or preventive surgery strategy is often determined by the individual’s perception of risk which in turn may be influenced by their personal and/or family experience of cancer.

“For others, a more positive outcome from genetics testing, i.e. where no mutation is found, alleviates a great deal of stress and worry about cancer. The emphasis is firmly on ensuring that the process remains voluntary throughout, i.e. that the individual can opt out of the process at any stage. However, genetic counselling and testing also empowers high risk individuals to take greater control of the management of their health.”

Clinical Nurse Specialist Michael Farrell said

“It is important to listen carefully to the individual and assess perceptions of cancer risk, learn of prior experiences with cancer within the family and provide an ample opportunity for questions to be asked and allow a truly informed decision to be made. Both individuals and families experience various psychological reactions in the context of genetic testing and issues frequently arise that offer challenges to health carers involved in this area. Many have lingering hurt and unresolved grief relating to cancer diagnoses and deaths within their families and these issues frequently surface during discussions. Emotional reactions can range from anxiety and fear to depression and loss of self esteem. The objective of the genetic counsellor is to help the person manage all of these issues and come to a decision which achieves the right outcome for each individual.”

The Mater Private Cancer Genetics Clinic is now open to referrals. The clinic can be contact at 01 8858433, Dr. David Gallagher, Medical Oncologist and Medical Geneticist, can be contacted at 01 8858883 and Mr. Michael Farrell, Genetics Counsellor, at 01 8858398.