About
Diagnostic laboratory services include phlebotomy, anatomic pathology, diagnostic cytology, flow cytometry and cancer genetics. Testing performed in these sections is available through referrals from physicians and the BC cancer centres.
Cervical cancer screening laboratory services includes primary cervical cytology screening and in-scope HPV testing from all the cervical specimens collected from clinicians across BC.
BC Cancer Pathology & Lab Medicine Strategic Plan
For the BC Cancer strategic framework for 2024 - 2029, please click the following link.
Turnaround Times
Turnaround Time (TAT) for reports is measured from time of accessioning into the Laboratory Information System to time of sign out by the pathologists.
**Please note: Cervix screening tests (self-collect HPV and provider-collect liquid-based collections currently have a delayed turnaround of approximately 8 weeks from date of receipt in the lab**
Expected TATs are summarized here:
Turnaround Times - Updated MAY 2024
Under some circumstances, cases may take longer than the expected benchmark TAT. Reasons may include:
- Processing time - technical reasons requiring prolonged processing before examination
- Second opinion- difficult diagnosis requiring another pathologist opinion
- Additional testing- special tests may add several days
- Troubleshooting- information missing which may aid in diagnosis
Send-Out Testing
Oncotype DX testing is offered to patients with certain criteria and is performed off-site. The process and forms can be found below:
Note: This test is for Breast Only.
This testing is performed at Exact Sciences, California USA.
This process was revised in to accommodate payment for the test by BC Cancer, under certain new
criteria (JPEG) (Sept 29, 2021). This process cannot be used for self-pay patients.
The new procedure is (revised Oct 2024):
- Complete the
consent form (PDF) with the patient and submit it to Exact Sciences by fax or via DocuSign.
Note that the patient MUST sign the form. Writing "telephone consent" is NOT acceptable. For further information on how to sign the document:
DocuSign – how to sign document (provider guide) (PDF) and
DocuSign – how to sign document (patient guide) (PDF)
- Complete a requisition form on the Exact Sciences patient online portal:
https://www.oncotypeiq.com/en-CA
- For a successful application, Genomic Health will apply to the hospital that holds the tissue for a sample to be tested.
- Upon completion of the test, the results will be available to the requesting physician on the secure patient portal.
See a
flow diagram of the process (PDF).
Additional information can be found at:
Customer Service – International
Exact Sciences Corporation
Phone: +650 569 2080
Toll free: +866 662 6897 (Canada)
Email: international@exactsciences.com
Web: www.oncotypedx.com
