Genetic Testing & Counseling

Most cancer is random, or sporadic, and not due to hereditary causes. However, cancer can be hereditary in some families. Many factors can increase the likelihood that the cancers in a family are hereditary. Some of these factors are: early onset of cancer, more than one primary (new) cancer in an individual, the same cancer in two or more close relatives, unusual presentation of cancer (e.g., breast cancer in a male), triple-negative breast cancer, and related cancers (such as breast/ovarian/pancreatic cancer or colon/uterine/ovarian cancer) found in the same family. Additionally, certain types of tumors or polyps may have a hereditary component. Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry are also at greater risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Genetic testing can identify individuals who have a hereditary predisposition to cancer. The identification of a hereditary predisposition to cancer through genetic testing may result in changes to a patient’s management, cancer screening, and sometimes cancer treatment. It also has implications for family members.

What is cancer genetic counseling?

Genetic counseling is a process that includes collecting a detailed personal and family history, a risk assessment, and a discussion of the genetic testing options. The risks, benefits and limitations of the available testing options and personalized cancer screening and risk reduction recommendations are also discussed in the genetic counseling session. Genetic counselors are certified healthcare professionals with advanced training in medical genetics and counseling.

Who may be at risk for a hereditary or family cancer? People with:

• A personal or family history of early-onset cancer (younger than 45 - 50 years)
• Several family members on the same side of the family with cancer
• A personal or family history of breast cancer and Jewish ancestry
• A personal or family history of ovarian, pancreatic, or metastatic prostate cancer at any age
• A personal or family history of multiple colon polyps
• A personal or family history of multiple cancer diagnoses within the same individual
• A personal or family history of a rare type of cancer/tumor (breast cancer in a male; medullary thyroid)

Read more about the Karvoski Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program at Saint Francis Hospital