BRCA1/2 genetic testing for drug selection and for the diagnosis of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome

In July 2018, PARP inhibitors were approved for the treatment of inoperable or recurrent breast cancer that is BRCA gene mutation-positive and HER2-negative and has a history of chemotherapy, and BRCA1/2 genetic testing was also included in the insurance coverage as a companion diagnostic for determining whether or not to administer the drug.
In June 2019, BRCA1/2 genetic testing for maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors after initial chemotherapy for newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer also became covered by insurance.
Furthermore, in April 2020, insurance coverage became available for some HBOC treatment, which identifies breast, ovarian, or fallopian tube cancer patients at high risk of HBOC and provides medical management (surveillance and risk-reducing surgery). In December of the same year, insurance coverage became available for BRCA1/2 genetic testing as a companion diagnostic for PARP inhibitors for prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer.

In HBOC treatment, in order to perform BRCA1/2 genetic testing or risk-reducing surgery, each facility must meet certain standards. Kitano Hospital meets all of these standards and provides a full range of medical care, from genetic testing and pre- and post-test genetic counseling, to diagnosis of blood relatives, risk-reducing surgery such as RRM and RRSO, to follow-up care.

Genetic test results affect not only the individual but also their blood relatives. Depending on the results, it is possible that you may become worried or anxious about your inheritance. In genetic counseling, clinical geneticists, who are experts in clinical genetics, and certified genetic counselors provide psychosocial support not only to the individual but also to their blood relatives.

If you wish to collaborate with our hospital regarding genetic counseling for BRCA1/2 gene testing or HBOC treatment, we ask that you exchange a memorandum of understanding regarding collaboration between our facilities before referring your patient to us.
You can be referred to genetic counseling even from facilities that are not affiliated with us, but in that case, you will need to visit the relevant department once before receiving genetic counseling. In this case, you will not be able to receive genetic counseling on the same day as your visit to the department. We will make an appointment for genetic counseling on a different day.

Genetic Counseling Referral Procedures

If the patient is from a facility with which genetic counseling has already been established

If the request comes from a facility that does not have a partnership for genetic counseling

Genetic counseling referral slots

breast surgery

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30

gynecology

Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30

Requests for introductions

Please include the following information in your medical information form:

1. Test results

   If you have already undergone genetic testing, please enclose a copy of the test results.

2. medical history

   In genetic counseling, the patient's medical history is also important information, so please provide it.

3. Family history

   Please answer to the best of your knowledge. (Details will be confirmed during genetic counseling.)

4. What you would like to request from our hospital

   Please indicate whether you would like genetic counseling only or whether you would like genetic counseling and subsequent medical management. If you would like medical management (surveillance, risk-reducing surgery) at our hospital in addition to genetic counseling, please indicate this on the medical information form.
   If no details are provided, we will only provide genetic counseling. However, if the patient wishes to receive medical management at our hospital after genetic counseling, we will ask them to write another referral letter and guide them to make an appointment with the appropriate department via our hospital's Community Relations Office.

Application for collaboration

If you would like to collaborate, please contact us using the form below.