Genetic Testing

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About half of all men and one-third of all women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Approximately 5% to 10% of all cancers are hereditary. The past few decades have seen incredible advances in genetic knowledge, and we have now identified many genes associated with cancer.

What are the benefits of genetic testing?
Knowing if you have an inherited risk empowers you to be proactive about your health:

• Increased surveillance can identify a cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage
• Certain medicines can prevent cancer from developing (“chemoprevention”)
• If desired, surgery can significantly reduce risk
• Genetic information can qualify you for participation in clinical trials or research studies

Who should consider genetic testing?
The following assessment can help you determine if you are a candidate for genetic testing:

• Have you or a family member been diagnosed with uterine (endometrial) cancer before age 50?
• Have you or a family member been diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50?
• Have there been two or more Lynch syndrome cancers in the same person or on the same side of the family?
• Have you or a family member been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger?
• Have you or a family member been diagnosed with ovarian cancer?
• Have there been two primary (unrelated) breast cancers in the same person or on the same side of the family?
• Have you or a family member been diagnosed with male breast cancer?
• Have you or a family member been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (ER-, PR-, HER2-pathology)?
• Has there been pancreatic cancer with breast cancer or ovarian cancer in the same person or on the same side of the family?
• Is there Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer in the same person or the same side of the family?
• Have you or a family member ever been tested for hereditary risk of cancer?

If you answered “yes” to any of the preceding questions, you may be a candidate for genetic testing.

For more information, contact (601) 933-6132.