Genetic Counseling for Cancer
Our genetic counselor provides education and risk assessment for people who, based on personal and family history, are at high risk for developing cancer. We offer both on-site and tele appointments for genetic counseling.
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
- Syndrome of breast cancer that occurs before age 50
- Bilateral breast cancer at any age
- Ovarian cancer at any age
- Male breast cancer at any age
Hereditary Colon Cancer Syndrome
- Greater than nine polyps in a lifetime
- Any polyps that occur before age 40
- Colorectal cancer that occurs before age 50
- Endometrial cancer that occurs before age 50
Hereditary Melanoma Syndrome
- Two melanomas in the same individual or family
- Pancreatic cancer and melanoma in the same individual or family
Other hereditary cancer syndromes
- Three cases of cancer in one side of the family: bladder, brain, endometrial, kidney, lung, mouth, multiple myeloma, pancreatic, sarcoma, stomach, other skin cancer, testicular, thyroid.
A genetic counseling consultation takes about one hour and includes:
- A comprehensive family history with pedigree analysis
- Mutation risk modeling to estimate the chance of hereditary germline mutations within the family
- Education surrounding: genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes, risk of cancer and/or germline mutation, ethical issues, potential but unproven discrimination issues, family issues, autonomy
- Insurance approval (covered by 97 percent of carriers)
- Testing, if appropriate, at a later date. Results are available about one month following testing.
- Copy of visit record provided to a requested provider with consent.