Mainstream genetic testing - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

This clinical pathway enables cancer specialists to directly request genetic testing for their patients, with support from a familial cancer centre.

The Parkville Familial Cancer Centre (PFCC) operates mainstream genetic testing programs for eligible breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer patients at a wide array of Victorian hospitals.

For the full list of participating hospitals watch the “Mainstream genetic testing overview” video below, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cancer specialists at participating hospitals are strongly encouraged to watch these training videos (all 3-7 minutes long) before requesting mainstream genetic testing for patients.

Cancer specialists who work at other sites can learn more about how to facilitate genetic testing for your cancer patients through an EviQ e-learning program collated by the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.

Mainstream e-consent form

For ease of use, cancer specialists can use a mainstream e-consent form for breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer patients who are undergoing mainstream genetic testing. The e-consent forms are housed securely on REDCap, and can be accessed using the relevant link (NOTE: save the webpage to favourites in your browser, so you can easily navigate to the page for future mainstream patients):

Once you have completed and submitted the e-consent with your patient, it is automatically emailed to the Parkville Familial Cancer Centre.

How to use the mainstream e-consent form

Complete the e-consent with your patient; you and your patient can sign the e-consent using the computer mouse or your finger if using a smart phone/tablet.
Once completed, click the ‘submit’ button at the bottom of the page.
Review your consent form and then click ‘submit’.
The completed consent/referral will automatically be emailed directly to the Parkville Familial Cancer Centre.
You can choose to download a copy of the completed consent form for the patient’s personal or hospital record if preferred.

Mainstream training videos

Watch the training videos and see also relevant e-consent forms and other resources.

If you work at a participating hospital and plan to offer mainstream genetic testing to your patients after watching the training videos, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to provide your name, email address, speciality and hospital location.

This will ensure you are added to the PFCC and Peter Mac laboratory approved list of mainstream clinicians.

Mainstream genetic testing overview

Mainstream gene panels

Mainstream eligibility criteria

Manchester scoring system

Consenting the patient to mainstream genetic testing

Ordering a mainstream genetic test

Disclosing the mainstream genetic testing result

Breast mainstream resources

There are a number of resources available for use within the breast mainstream program. Browse and download the resources below.

Breast mainstream pre-test information sheet for patients

Breast mainstream negative results information for patients

This patient information sheet outlines the implications of a negative genetic test result for hereditary breast cancer genes and can be given to patients who receive a negative genetic result through from mainstream genetic testing.

Download the breast mainstream negative results information sheet for patients

{slider=Manchester score sheet}

This website allows you to calculate if a breast cancer patient meets the 10% probability of having a pathogenic variant in a breast cancer predisposition gene, using their personal and family history of cancer. If the breast cancer patient scores 15 or more, they meet the 10% probability, and therefore can have a Medicare funded genetic test.

Access the Manchester scoring system

How to order a mainstream test in Epic

How to order a breast mainstream test (sites external to Parkville)

Key information for mainstream clinicians

Genetic testing and insurance factsheet for patients

Breast mainstream clinical pathway

Ovarian mainstream resources

There are a number of resources available for use within the ovarian mainstream program. Browse and download the resources below.

Ovarian mainstream pre-test information sheet for patients

Ovarian mainstream negative results information sheet for patients

How to order a mainstream test in Epic

Ovarian mainstream pathology slip (to be used by mainstream clinicians outside of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Royal Women’s Hospital)

This pathology slip should be completed and issued to ovarian mainstream patients for blood collection, when they are seen outside of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Royal Melbourne Hospital or Royal Women’s Hospital (if you are seeing patients at one of these sites, see above for a factsheet on how to order mainstream testing in Epic).

Download the Ovarian mainstream pathology slip (for sites external to Parkville)

Key information for mainstream clinicians

Genetic testing and insurance factsheet for patients

Pancreas mainstream resources

The pancreas mainstream program currently operates at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Western Health and Bendigo Health. There are a number of resources available for use within the pancreas mainstream program. Browse and download the resources below.

Pancreas mainstream pre-test information sheet for patients

Pancreas mainstream negative results information sheet for patients

How to order a mainstream test in Epic (for mainstream clinicians working at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)

How to order a pancreas mainstream test for mainstream clinicians working at Western Health and Bendigo Health

Genetic testing and insurance factsheet for patients

Key information for mainstream clinicians

Pancreas mainstream clinical pathway