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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 2 July 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 July 2018. It was answered by Steve Brine (Conservative) on Monday, 9 July 2018 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Breast Cancer

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the DNA test for breast cancer assessment will be available on the NHS.

Answer

Some forms of DNA testing for cancer are available on the National Health Service. For example, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes raise the risk of cancer if they become altered. Having a variant BRCA gene greatly increases a woman's chance of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines require that people with a 10% or higher risk of carrying BRCA genes are able to be counselled, supported and tested.

However, many other DNA tests for breast cancer are still in the research phase, and are therefore not routinely available.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
159604
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Breast cancer DNA Testing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk