Expert, compassionate and personal - it’s what defines us.
We help patients understand what their genes mean for themselves and their families. Knowing this can provide the most accurate treatment and prevention for you and your loved ones – precision health care, tailored just for you.
Understanding genes and health at Progenics.
Genes and genetic testing can be very complex; at Progenics we are experts at helping you understand your genes and how genetics can help you at every stage of life - from before conception to adult life.
A precise diagnosis can be very helpful; knowing the exact genetics can help your healthcare team design a tailored management plan specific to your needs. It also allows identification of others who are at risk and could be protected.
We specialise in:
Inherited or genetic conditions
Medical problems that run in families (inherited or genetic conditions). Inherited conditions can affect one organ (for example, only the heart or the skin) or many, and can often manifest in different ways in individuals of the same family.
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Cancer genetics
Genetic changes that are important for the treatment of cancers (cancer genetic testing) to accurately predict. risk and which treatments are best to use.
Pharmacogenomics
Genetic variation that can help determine the medications that are the safest and most effective for you (pharmacogenomics testing to determine the most optimal medications for an individual).
Reproductive genetics
Couples silently carrying a rare but severe genetic condition that could affect their children; knowing this can help parents make important choices (reproductive carrier screening in
couples planning a pregnancy).
Prenatal genetics
Expecting parents who are concerned about the health of their unborn child (prenatal testing to look for a genetic condition in the foetus).
Follow-up
Expert and patient-centred care for patients with certain conditions, including individuals at risk of inherited heart disease.
Questions to Ask About Genetic Testing
This is a big step in your care, and you probably have a lot of questions. Here are some common ones to get you started:
Genetic testing can actually be performed on almost any sample of tissue from the body. We commonly test saliva and blood, and often these are just as good as each other. Sometimes, a particular type of tissue is preferred - this depends on the type of genetic test you are undergoing.
Not everyone wants or even needs a genetic test. At Progenics, there is never any obligation to have a genetic test. Personalised health advice can be provided even if there is no genetic testing performed.
We are first and foremost about helping patients live better - genetic testing is but one tool that can help us achieve that for you.
In Australia, there are several genetic tests that are funded by Medicare. Many others are funded by the Health Department of the state you live in. If you qualify for a Medicare-funded or State Government-funded test at a laboratory in Australia, there is no out-of-pocket cost for you. If you don’t qualify, or there is no funding for the most appropriate test for you, there will be an out-of-pocket cost (this is called a ‘self-funded’ test). For self-funded tests, patients are invoiced directly by the genetic testing laboratory.
Where possible we will always recommend an Australian laboratory. In some cases, overseas laboratories have expertise that is best suited to your needs. If this is the case, we will explain why they are better, and what the local alternatives are.
No matter what kind of funding is accessed for a genetic test (Medicare, State Government or self-funded), Progenics make no money from any testing we order for you.
We only order genetic tests through laboratories with excellent quality standards - in Australia these standards are also known as ‘NATA accreditation’. As part of accreditation, laboratories have to ensure they have strict quality control measures, provide an accurate result, and adhere to all government legislation regarding privacy.
When we communicate your genetic results to you, we take your privacy very seriously and make every effort to ensure only you have access to your genetic test results.
We strongly recommend that you bring along a partner, sibling, child or parent. If they would like to have a comprehensive assessment themselves, we can accommodate them into an Extended Family Consultation (EFC); all they need is a referral from their own doctor. Alternatively, family members are welcome to accompany you as a support person and not a patient themselves.
Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, a support person may not be able to accompany you to a face-to-face appointment; however, if your family member is attending as a patient within an EFC then there are no restrictions. Family members are always able to attend virtual health appointments as either support people or as patients within an EFC. Please check with us closer to the date of your appointment for up-to-date advice.
We are focussed on meeting not just your health needs, but the needs of your family as well. Prevention is better than cure, and genetics offers the opportunity to identify and protect those at risk. However, as our patient your preferences are our top priority. We will only discuss your genetic test results and health information with your family members if you give express written consent authorising this. Without your consent we will never share your information, unless required to by law.
Patient journey
We offer most of our services as either face-to-face or via virtual consultation.
1. Connect with us
Talk to your doctor
See if our clinical genetics service is right for you. If you decide together that it is, your doctor will send us a referral.
In our initial contact with you we:
- Help you to provide us with your personal and family medical history - we only access what we need, and only with written consent
- Discuss whether an Extended Family Consultation (EFC) or Individual Consultation best suits your needs
- Explain our service & associated fees
2. Your Consultations
Prior to your first consultation, we will gather health information relevant for understanding your needs.
During your consultations:
- We thoroughly evaluate your medical and family history
- If necessary, you will have a clinical examination to look for signs of an inherited condition
- We will explain genetic testing options, including cost and insurance implications
- We can arrange genetic testing
Genetic testing is rapidly evolving; we make sure we’re up to speed with it all, and only recommend testing if it’s the best option for you.
3. Your evaluation
We often recommend a follow-up appointment. During your follow-up consultation we will:
- Explain what your genetic test result means for you
- Highlight how the right treatment plan can make a difference for your health
- Discuss your family's health and how they can protect themselves
- Write back to you and your doctors summarising the plan
Virtual care consultations, Australia-wide.
Care for you and your family, together.
We see you, not just your genes.
At Progenics, we understand that genetic health is deeply personal yet can have life-changing implications for family. Difficult questions often arise when discussing genes. For example:
- Why are my siblings and I affected so differently?
- What does this mean for my young children?
- We are contemplating starting a family - how do I prevent passing a gene change down?
Telling your children, siblings and parents about health risks can be confusing and even scary. To help you, we focus on:
- Making genetic concepts easy to understand
- Explaining what is and isn’t known - we will never mislead you when there isn’t a clear answer
- Helping you explain your genetics to your loved ones
