BS19BRCA 1 & BRCA2 GENE TESTING FOR BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND – THE GTG EXPERIENCE

Over the past three years, Genetic Technologies Ltd (GTG) has been providing a fee for service (commercial) BRCA 1 & 2 genetic pathology testing service. Full gene screening isperformed within 8 weeks and fast tracking of testing for clinical management purposes cab be performed in 2–4 weeks. We present a schema for testing that utilizes robotics, LIMS, automated DNA sequencing, computer aided analysis and ISO15189 / NATA / RCPA accredited test protocols. Despite the active testing that has been carried out of the BRCA1 & 2 genes worldwide over the past decade, it is interesting to note that significant numbers of new (not previously reported) BRCA mutational events and gene variants have been identified in our testing service – the GTG experience.