Hello, I’m Dr Lisa Walker

Are you worried about your family history of cancer and what it means for you?

Dr Walker will provide a realistic and specialist risk assessment using recognised NICE approved risk assessment tools, but also taking into account holistic factors that are often not considered by these.

Are you worried about your own history of cancer and the implications it might have for your children or other relatives?

As part of your cancer journey, it is often useful to have a risk assessment so that you can focus on your own treatment and recovery, while feeling reassured that other people in your family will be provided with appropriate surveillance.

Do you need rapid risk assessment to determine cancer treatment?

Many women with breast cancer need to undergo rapid risk assessment and genetic testing in order to determine their surgical or other treatment options. Dr Walker can provide this rapid service, in contrast to standard NHS services, and can usually see patients within 1-2 weeks. Genetic testing would then give results usually in around 4 weeks.

Explanation of Genes and how they can cause cancer

We all have around 30,000 genes, and some of these act to protect you against the development of cancers. If an individual has an alteration (commonly called a mutation) in one of these ‘protector’ genes, then the usual protection is lost. That individual would then become more likely to develop cancers compared with other people in the population. These mutations can be inherited through families, hence the importance of genetic testing when there is a strong family history of cancer.

Genetic Testing

Dr Walker will recommend genetic testing when and if it is appropriate for you.Genetic testing is always an option in the private sector; however, Dr Walker will alsolet you know when the chance of finding a mutation is very low, in order that you canmake an informed decision. It is important to realise that the genetic testing optionsare funded completely separately from the consultations, and Dr Walker receives noadditional fees if a decision is made to go ahead with genetic testing. Costs forgenetic testing vary and should be discussed with your health insurance company. Ifyou are self-paying, please enquire directly about costs for testing.

If risk assessment or genetic testing has determined that you are at higher risk of cancer compared to other people in the population, you would have options in terms of cancer surveillance or risk reducing surgery. Dr Walker will also carefully explain the options available to you, both in the NHS and private sectors, and facilitate informed decision making going forwards. Many people at increased risk are eligible for cancer surveillance in the NHS sector, and it is usually possible to arrange this.

Many people who have been found to have gene mutations choose to explore options which would ensure that the gene mutation (with its associated risks) is not passed on to the next generation. Dr Walker works closely with Oxford Fertility Partnership to give you a full explanation of options. These would include Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) and Prenatal Testing (PND), among other options. Dr Walker also works with Oxford Fertility (www.tfp-fertility.com) providing genetic counselling for couples who have been found to have other genetic alterations (including chromosomal anomalies), in order that they can make informed decisions as to the best way forwards.