The WMFACS service

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How WMFACS works

This is a general guide only - the process may differ slightly in individual districts. Please check the local strategy pages for details.

Patients who consult their GP about their cancer family history are asked to complete the Family History Form. In some districts, patients are referred directly to a family history or surveillance clinic by their GP where they are given a Family History Form to complete. (Read more about what to do if asked about a cancer family history).

The Family History Form should then be compared with the referral guidelines - this can be done by the GP or practice nurse, or other agreed healthcare professional.

Patients whose histories fall below the minimum referral criteria can be reassured that their risk is unlikely to be different from the general population, and therefore they do not require additional surveillance.

All patients who meet the minimum referral criteria are referred to the central WMFACS team (sometimes this is via a local co-ordinator) where the Family History Form is assessed, and the appropriate management is instigated for the patient. This may be referral to clinical genetics and/or the local surveillance service.

The process is shown in detail on the WMFACS algorithm below.

Patient consults primary health care team regarding cancer family history

Patient completes Family History Form at home

Family History Form is evaluated against referral guidelines

Patient meets minimum referral criteria	Patient does not meet minimum referral criteria
Family History Form sent to the WMFACS team for assessment	Referral not appropriate; patient reassured

Family History Form assessment

Patient is at near-population risk Patient no longer meets minimum referral criteria	Patient is at moderate risk Patient requires surveillance	Patient is at high risk Patient requires clinical genetics appointment and surveillance
Referral not appropriate; patient reassured	Referral to local surveillance unit or family history clinic	Patient seen in local genetics clinic and referred to local surveillance unit  or family history clinic

Surveillance and genetics results fed back to central WMFACS team

This page was last modified on Thu Dec 02 2010