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Genetic Counseling

Hereditary Risk Assessment is a valuable tool for assessing whether a person is genetically disposed to be at greater risk for cancer. If you or any of your close relatives have ever had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer or melanoma, you may have a risk of inherited cancer. A blood test can help tell you whether you are at high risk, so you and your doctor can take steps to reduce your cancer risk now. Hereditary Risk Assessment is by physician referral only.

Before the assessment:

  • Look into your family's medical history. Find out who has had cancer, what type, and at what age they were diagnosed

  • Decide if you would like a family member or friend to accompany you through the assessment

Through the assessment, we will:

  • Review your detailed personal and family history of cancer to assess your personal level of risk for hereditary cancer and determine if genetic testing is appropriate for you

  • Explain the benefits, cost, and limitations of genetic testing

  • Discuss prevention options according to your level of risk

  • Provide you with informational material

  • Maintain complete confidentiality

  • Offer pre-test and post-test counseling

  • Inform you of what resources are available to you

Cost & insurance coverage:

There is a fee for our assessment service; however, our office can do a pre-certification to see if the fee is covered by your health insurance company. Our staff in charge of hereditary risk assessment will see that the proper documentation of risk assessment is provided to assist in the process, if testing is appropriate for you.

Genetic Counseling
Not sure Genetic Risk Assessment is for you?

Ask yourself the following questions:
 

  • Has any family member been diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50?

  • Has any individual family member had more than one type of cancer?

  • Do you have two or more blood relatives on the same side of the family with non-smoking related cancer (such as breast, colon, uterine, and/or ovarian cancer)?

  • Has any family member had two-sided cancer (i.e., breast cancer in both breasts)?

  • Do you have a personal and/or family history of rare cancers (such as male breast cancer or childhood sarcoma)?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we encourage you to consider hereditary cancer assessment and possible testing.

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