AQW 32070/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 25/09/2025
Answered On Date: 06/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department will review current eligibility criteria for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing to ensure that all individuals with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer can access testing consistently.

Answer:

The NI Regional Genetics Service is based at Belfast City Hospital and receives referrals from both primary and secondary care across the whole of Northern Ireland. Patients and families affected by breast and ovarian cancer in Northern Ireland are assessed against UK-wide clinical guidelines. Eligibility criteria for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing are set out in the National Genomics Test Directory to provide guidance on which patients may benefit from genomic testing. The criteria are developed by the Test Evaluation Working Group which includes representatives from devolved nations, including Northern Ireland. This ensures that the needs of all UK nations are considered in the development of testing guidelines