Genetic risk assessments help people understand their risks, prevent, manage
and, in some cases, reduce the incidence of inherited cancer. Currently,
genetic testing for cancer risks and support is offered for
breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and
colorectal cancer. Many health insurance plans cover genetic testing costs when referred
by a physician. Check with your insurance company to see which types of
genetic testing are covered.
Genetic testing for inherited cancer can have three parts: a cancer risk
assessment, genetic counseling and a genetic test.
What is a Cancer Risk Assessment?
A cancer risk assessment looks at personal and family risk factors that
may put you at higher risk for cancer. Knowing your risk helps you learn
what you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer.
Reasons for having a cancer risk assessment include:
To understand if cancer runs in your family
To learn if cancer has been caused by an inherited genetic change
To see if genetic testing will be of value to you or your family
To find out your risk for a genetically linked cancer
To learn what you can do about your risk for cancer
What Is Genetic Counseling?
During genetic counseling, you will meet with a genetic counselor, or a
specially trained physician, advanced practice oncology nurse or social
worker. Your provider will give you more information about inherited cancers
and help you decide if testing is for you and your family. The provider
will explain the pros, cons and limitations of testing.
If you decide to take a genetic test, a genetic counselor can guide you
on how to manage an increased cancer risk. Your counselor can also provide
valuable feedback about how to cope if testing shows you may be at higher
risk for cancer and how to discuss results with your family.
How Does a Genetic Test Work?
Genetic testing looks for specific inherited changes in a person’s
chromosomes, genes or proteins. These changes are also called mutations.
The changes can have harmful, beneficial, neutral (no effect) or uncertain
effects on health.
When certain cancers occur frequently in a family, it can be an important
preventive step to learn if an inherited gene mutation is apparent. The
cancer risks in hereditary cancer families are much higher than the general
population, and steps can be taken to prevent these cancers or detect
them early.
During a genetic test, cells from a part of your body will be sent for
laboratory testing. These cells are collected either through a blood sample,
hair, cheek cells or urine. When testing for cancer, a blood sample is
often taken.
Once the results have arrived, your genetic counselor will evaluate and
explain them to you. If you have negative results, then you don’t
have the gene mutation that puts you at increased risk for cancer. It
doesn’t mean you won’t get cancer, but that you are at average
risk. If your results are positive, you have the mutated gene. Your genetic
counselor will help you learn how to reduce your risk with lifestyle changes
and by practicing early detection.
For more information about any of our early detection services, please
call Altru Cancer Center at
701.780.5400
Who Should Get Genetic Testing?
Breast and Ovarian Cancer
If you have a personal or family history of:
Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50
Ovarian cancer at any age
Two breast cancers in the same person or same side of the family
Male breast cancer at any age
Triple-negative breast cancer at any age
Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Three or more hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) associated cancers
at any age (breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic)
A previously identified HBOC syndrome mutation in your family
Colorectal Cancer
If you have a personal or family history of:
Colorectal cancer before age 50
Endometrial cancer before age 50
A previously identified Lynch syndrome gene mutation in the family
Two or more Lynch syndrome cancers at any age
Ten or more cumulative colorectal adenomatous polyps
A previously identified polyposis syndrome in the family
