Hereditary Cancer Centre

How we can help you

We provide a diagnostic and genetic counselling service for adults and children who have, or are at high risk of hereditary cancers and tumours. We also see some people who have or are at high risk of a hereditary endocrine tumour. We will discuss your risk of cancer and whether genetic testing is helpful for your health care.

You may have an appointment by either in person, video consultation (called Telehealth) or by telephone.

Our team consists of:

Medical

  • Dr Lesley Andrews (Head of Department)
  • Associate Professor Kathy Tucker AO (Clinical Geneticist Clinical Lead)

Genetic Counsellors

  • Rachel Williams (Senior Network Clinical Lead)
  • Meera Warby
  • April Morrow
  • Nicole Cousens
  • Tanya Dwarte
  • Catherine Speechly

Research Nurse

  • Leon Botes

If you are concerned about your own diagnosis of cancer or your family history, speak to your doctor for a referral to the Hereditary Cancer Centre.

Please ask your doctor to send us your referral letter. We will also ask you to complete a registration form. You can do this now by completing this and sending it in with your referral. Otherwise, our administration staff will contact you to complete this with you.

Once we have received your referral, a member of our staff will contact you to make your appointment.

If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please call us on 02 9382 5107.

You will be asked about your personal medical history and your family history of cancer. Our staff will assess your risk and whether genetic testing could help your family. We also give advice about screening and ways to reduce cancer risk.

If you are an Australian Medicare or Veteran Affairs card holder, your appointment will be bulk billed.

  • Current Medicare card or Veteran Affairs card
  • Any Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card
  • Insurer details (eg workers compensation, public liability or third party)
  • Your private health fund membership card if you are currently insured with a private health fund
  • Recent X-rays or medical images and their reports, if applicable
  • Activities to keep you entertained while waiting (for example, a book, music player with headphones, crosswords). There is also a television and magazines available in the waiting area.

Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.

Our Centre is involved in national and international research to improve care for people with an inherited cancer genetic condition. Your doctor, genetic counsellor or nurse may talk with you about research at your appointment.

 We are a teaching hospital and medical trainees, student doctors, genetic counsellors and nurses may be involved and supervised by senior staff during your visit. You have the right to say no. If you do so, this will not change your care in any way.