The Cancer Council Victoria has launched a new online training package to help general practitioners identify patients who are at risk of genetic cancers such as BRCA 1, BRCA 2 and Lynch Syndrome.
The training will provide a variety of resources and practical guidance on risk assessing patients and how to appropriately refer them to a Familial Cancer Centre for further investigation.
Head of Screening, Early Detection and Immunisation Cancer Council Victoria, Kate Broun, said that due to the impacts of COVID-19, many people had missed routine GP appointments for cancer screening.
“As we start to return to a bit more normality, now is a great time for GPs to talk to patients about cancer prevention and identify people who may be at increased risk of familial cancers,” she said.
In Gippsland, Wellington, East Gippsland and Latrobe have the highest cancer mortality rates (age-standardised rates of 202, 194 and 193 deaths from any cancer per 100,000 people, compared to 167 across Australia). For more information, see the Gippsland PHN Health Needs Assessment here.
RACGP Victoria Faculty Council Chair, Dr Anita Muñoz, said that Cancer Council Victoria’s Familial Cancer training and resources supported GPs to have important conversations with patients to help determine their risk then manage their health, whatever the outcome.
“We encourage all Victorian GPs to complete the training and use the practical resources to risk assess their patients and, if appropriate, refer them for further tests,” she said.
The accessible training takes about an hour to complete, is free and practical, and offers CPD points. Register and start your training today via: cancervic.org.au/gp-family-cancer-risk
