Genomics Toolkit: Breast
About the toolkit
From niche to necessity, genomic testing is now ready for rollout within the NHS. We want to help healthcare professionals deliver a gold standard of care to patients.
Genomics is rapidly becoming an integral part of cancer care. Its clinical significance will only increase in time, transitioning into a central pillar of routine cancer treatment and prevention. Macmillan understands the importance of supporting both those living with and beyond cancer, but also the people who make that happen: the healthcare professionals.
This area of the toolkit will cover a specific tumour site: the breast.
About the author
Mainstreaming criteria
These are the mainstreaming R208 panel inclusion criteria for inherited breast and ovarian cancer.
If a patient presents with one of the following criteria, they are eligible for R208 panel testing.
- Breast cancer diagnosis under the age of 40 years
- Bilateral breast cancer diagnosis under the age of 50 years
- Triple negative breast cancer diagnosis under the age of 60 years
- Male breast cancer diagnosis at any age
- Breast cancer diagnosis under 45 years and a first degree relative under 45 years
- Combined pathology adjusted Manchester Score ≥15
- Single gene pathology adjusted score of ≥10
- BOADICEA/CanRisk score ≥ 10%
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry and breast cancer diagnosis at any age.
Please note: Breast cancer definition includes High Grade DCIS.
For those unaffected by breast cancer, or affected by pancreatic or prostate cancer with a family history of breast/ovarian cancers and other tests related to breast cancer, please refer to the National Genomic Test Directory.
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CDH1-related cancer syndrome: who is eligible for a test?
These are the mainstreaming R215 panel inclusion criteria for CDH1-related cancer syndrome.
If a patient presents with one of the following, they are eligible for R215 panel testing.
- Diffuse gastric cancer; under the age of 50 years.
- Gastric in situ signet ring cells or pagetoid spread of signet ring cells under 50 years.
- Diffuse gastric cancer at any age with a personal history or first degree relative with cleft lip or cleft palate.
- Double primary diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer; both under 70 years.
- Diffuse gastric cancer and 1 or more first degree /second degree relatives with diffuse gastric cancer at any age.
- Diffuse gastric cancer at any age and 1 or more first degree relative / second degree relative with lobular breast cancer under 70 years
- Lobular breast cancer and 1 or more first degree relative / second degree relative with diffuse gastric cancer (1 or more case occurred under 70 years).
- 2 cases of lobular breast cancer under 50 years e.g. bilateral or multiple ipsilateral tumours
- Bilateral lobular breast cancer under 70 years
- Diffuse gastric cancer in any individual of Maori ethnicity
Deceased affected individual (proband) where (i) the individual +/- family history meets one of the above criteria, (ii) appropriate tissue is available (tumour or normal), and (iii) no living affected individual is available for genetic testing.
NOTE: At least one cancer should be histologically confirmed
Genetic testing may occasionally be appropriate outside these criteria following discussion at a specialist MDT with a cancer geneticist present.
Referrals for testing will be triaged by the Genomic Laboratory; testing should be targeted at those where a genetic or genomic diagnosis will guide management for the proband or family.
Where in the pathway?
At presentation/at follow-upRequesting Specialties
- Clinical Genetics
- Gastroenterology
- Surgery*
*Surgery to cover upper gastro-intestinal surgeons
Associated tests
Code Name Optimal Family structure Scope (s) Target type Target name Method R215.1 Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer Singleton Small variants, CNVs Small panel CDH1; CTNNA1 (1221) Small panel Please refer to the National Genomic Test Directory for inclusion criteria and further information.
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R208 Inherited breast cancer and ovarian cancer: who is eligible for a test?
These are the mainstreaming R208 panel inclusion criteria for inherited breast cancer and ovarian cancer: If a patient presents with one of the following, they are eligible for R208 panel testing.
1. A patient with breast* or high grade ovarian cancer where the individual +/- family history meets one of the criteria.
- Breast cancer, age under 40 years, OR
- Bilateral breast cancer, age under 60 years, OR
- Triple negative breast cancer, age under 60 years, OR
- Assigned male at birth and affected with breast cancer any age, OR
- Breast cancer, age under 45 years and a first degree relative with breast cancer age under 45 years, OR
- Combined pathology-adjusted Manchester score higher than 15 or single gene pathology adjusted score of higher than 10 or BOADICEA/CanRisk score higher than 10%, OR
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry and breast cancer at any age, OR
- 1 or more grandparent from Westray (Orkney) or Whalsay (Shetland) and breast cancer at any age.
2. A patient with pancreatic cancer AND family history of breast*/high grade ovarian/prostate cancer with a pathology adjusted Manchester score of higher than 15/CanRisk score of 10%.
3. A patient with prostate cancer AND a family history of breast/ovarian/pancreatic cancer with a pathology adjusted Manchester score of higher than 15/CanRisk score of 10%.
4. Deceased patient with breast* or high grade ovarian cancer with:
- A stored DNA, blood or tissue sample available for DNA extraction, AND
- Pathology-adjusted Manchester score higher than 17 or CanRisk score higher than 15%, AND
- No living affected individual is available for genetic testing.
5. A patient with:
- first degree relative affected by breast* or serous ovarian cancer, AND
- Combined pathology-adjusted Manchester score higher than 20 or BOADICEA/CanRisk score of higher than 20% for affected relative or BOADICEA/CanRisk score of higher than 10% for unaffected relative AND
- No living affected individual is available for genetic testing, AND
- No deceased affected individual with tumour material available for testing.
Note for living patients:
Where more than one family member may be eligible for unaffected testing, the residual probability of a causative pathogenic variant in the family should be considered, taking into account prior normal unaffected tests.
NOTE:
- *Breast cancer definition includes high grade DCIS
- The proband's cancer and majority of reported cancers in the family should have been confirmed.
- The pathology adjusted Manchester score involved incorporation of pathology data for the tested proband alone, i.e. pathology need not be sought for other family members.
- Ovarian cancer: Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal cancers can be included
- BRCA1/BRCA2 testing should not typically have previously been performed. Exceptions may include, for example, patients who have been tested through the Jewish Community’s NHS BRCA-Testing Programme for BRCA1/BRCA2 and not received a molecular diagnosis
- Testing of unaffected and deceased individuals can only be offered by Clinical Genetics Genetic testing may occasionally be appropriate outside these criteria following discussion at a specialist MDT with a cancer geneticist present
Overlapping indications
- M2 Ovarian carcinoma should be used for somatic testing
- M3 Breast cancer should be used for somatic testing
- R444 NICE approved PARP inhibitor treatment
Referrals for testing will be triaged by the Genomic Laboratory; testing should be targeted at those where a genetic or genomic diagnosis will guide management for the proband or family.
Where in the pathway?
At presentation
Requesting Specialties
- Oncology
- Clinical genetics
- surgery
Associated tests
Code Name Optimal Family Structure Scope (s) Target type Target name Method R208.1 Inherited breast and ovarian cancer Singleton Small variants, CNvs Small panel of genes Inherited breast and ovarian cancer (635) Small panel Please refer to the National Genomic Test Directory for inclusion criteria and further information.
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R444.1 panel NICE approval for PARP inhibitor treatment: who is eligible for a test?
These are the R444.1 panel inclusion criteria. They are for people who do not meet the R208 or R430 criteria AND have a current cancer diagnosis.
If a patient presents with one of the following, they are eligible for testing:
R444.1 Breast Cancer
1. Those with triple negative breast cancer who have received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy:- With residual invasive disease of the breast, resected lymph nodes or both at the time of surgery.
2. Those with triple negative breast cancer who are having adjuvant chemotherapy:
- Node-positive cancer
- Node-negative cancer and a primary tumour of 2cm or greater.
3. Those with hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who have received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy:
- With residual invasive disease of the breast, resected lymph nodes or both at the time of surgery AND a CPS + EG score of 3 or more based on pre-treatment clinical and post-treatment pathological stage, receptor status and histological grade. Learn more.
4. Those with hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who are having adjuvant chemotherapy:
- 4 or more pathologically confirmed positive lymph nodes.
5. For those who have HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer:
- Patients should have been previously treated with an anthracycline and/or a taxane in the neo/adjuvant, locally advanced or metastatic setting unless patients were not suitable for these treatments.
- Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine-based therapy, or be considered unsuitable for endocrine-based therapy.
R444.2 Prostate Cancer
Metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer where somatic tumour testing (M218.1) has failed.
Overlapping indications- R208 Inherited breast cancer and ovarian cancer
- R430 Inherited prostate cancer
- M3 breast cancer should be used for somatic testing
- M218 prostate cancer should be used for somatic testing
Referrals for testing will be triaged by the Genomic Laboratory; testing should be targeted at those where a genetic or genomic diagnosis will guide management for the proband or family.
Where in Pathway?
At earliest stage, either at primary surgery or after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
Requesting Specialties
- Clinical Genetics
- Surgery
- Oncology
Associated tests
Code Name Optimal Family Structure Scope (s) Target Type Target Name Method R444.1 NICE approved PARP inhibitor treatment – breast cancer Singleton Small variants, CNVs Small panel of genes BRCA1; BRCA 2 Small panel R444.2 NICE approved PARP inhibitor treatment – prostate cancer Singleton Small variants, CNVs Small panel of genes BRCA 1; BRCA 2 Small panel Please refer to the National Genomic Test Directory for inclusion criteria and further information.
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Other tests related to breast cancer
There are several other tests and inherited conditions that are related to breast cancer. These include:
- PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (R213)
- Somatic testing for breast cancer (M3)
- Li Fraumeni Syndrome (R216)
- Inherited Pancreatic Cancer (R367)
- Inherited Prostate Cancer (R430).
The number in brackets is the National Genomic Test Directory code for the related test. Please note: M codes are found in the ‘National genomic test directory for cancer’ and the R codes are found in the ‘Rare and Inherited Disease Eligibility Criteria’.
For more information on these conditions, please see the Macmillan Cancer Support inherited breast and ovarian cancer page.
Patient pathways
Primary care
The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed a pathway for clinicians to direct people without a personal history of breast cancer to the right place based on their personal risk.
This is based on NICE guideline CG164 ‘Familial Breast Cancer: classification, care and managing breast cancer and related risks in people with a family history of breast cancer’.
See their full clinical toolkit for genomics.
Secondary care
Every breast unit will have variations on how patients navigate their pathway.
The Breast Mainstreaming Pathway document details how genomic mainstreaming can fit into Secondary Care based on current clinical practice in NHS Hospitals.
Clinical documents
NHS Genomic Medicine Service Test Order forms
Visit your region for local Non-Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) form:
Referral forms
Each trust will use their own documentation. See your local/nearest clinical genetics service for specific details of where to send your referral letter or form.
Letters of results
Patient information and support
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Breast cancer information and support
Information from Macmillan
- Breast cancer
- Breast cancer in men
- Family history, genes and cancer risk
- Inherited breast and ovarian cancer.
Support from Macmillan
- Macmillan Support Line 0800 808 0000 (open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm)
- Chat to Macmillan online
- Online Community's breast cancer forum.
Further support and information
- Prevent Breast Cancer
- Genetic Alliance UK
- Jnetics - improving the prevention and management of Jewish genetic disorders in the UK
- The Eve Appeal
- Flat Friends
- Keeping Abreast Breast Cancer Reconstruction Support
- Breast Cancer Now
- Daisy Network (premature menopause support)
- BRCA+ Chat
- BRCA Umbrella
- #NotJustBRCA: Not Just BRCA (@notjustbrca)
- National Hereditary Breast Cancer helpline
- BRCA Link Northern Ireland.
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Leaflets
- Inherited genes and cancer types | Cancer Research UK
- Patients and Public North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub (norththamesglh.nhs.uk)
- Cancer genetics | Royal Marsden Patient Information Library
- Chemoprevention for women at an increased risk of familial breast cancer | Royal Marsden Patient Information Library
- Family history of breast cancer: managing your risk (BCN244) | Breast Cancer Now Leaflet
- UKCGG leaflets and guidelines Cancer Genetics Group
- Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered FORCE
- Macmillan: Understanding risk-reducing breast surgery
- Macmillan: Are you worried about cancer?
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Videos
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Preimplantation genetics
Preimplantation genetic testing is available to potential parents who are at risk of passing an inherited genetic condition down to their children. It is an IVF treatment that identifies the associated genetic change in embryos so that only the embryos that are clear of these pathogenic changes may be implanted. The process can take up to a year following initial consultation with a genetic counsellor.
- Couples are eligible for treatment via the NHS if they meet certain criteria. See the following link for more information: How can I access preimplantation genetic diagnosis? | Genetic Alliance UK
- View a list of all inherited conditions that have been approved by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority: PGT-M conditions - page 1 of 83 | HFEA
- For more detailed information on Preimplantation Genetic Testing for healthcare professionals: Preimplantation genetic testing — Knowledge Hub (hee.nhs.uk)
Related pages
Educational resources for healthcare professionals
This section of the toolkit covers key points around counselling, consent and results. In addition, a list of frequently asked questions are answered.
Breast cancer susceptibility genes
This section of the toolkit covers the breast cancer susceptibility genes:
- BRCA1 and BRCA2
- PALB2
- ATM
- CHEK2
- RAD51C and RAD51D
Clinic set-up discussion and tool
Most teams find that it takes around 3 months to set-up their services. This section of the toolkit provides some guidance to help think about what is needed during the set-up process.
GMSA map
Visit your regional Genomic Medicine Service Alliance (GMSA) website: