High-Risk Cancer Genetic Services
When should you consider genetic testing?
Cancer is a common disease. However, some people have a greater chance of developing cancer. This may be due to gene changes that are passed through the family. Inherited gene changes are responsible for 5 to 10% of all cancers. You should consider cancer genetic testing if your personal or family history includes:
- Cancer before age 50.
- Two or more different cancers in the same person.
- Two or more family members who have had the same type of cancer.
- Multiple cancers in several generations.
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (Eastern or Central European) with breast or ovarian cancer.
- Polyposis (multiple polyps in the colon or intestines).
- Concern about developing cancer because of family history.
Hall-Perrine Cancer Center’s High-Risk Genetic Nurse Practitioners help patients and their loved ones understand cancer risk factors based on family history and genetics. Services available include:
Risk Assessment
Your initial consultation will include education and counseling about genetics and cancer. We will review your personal and family medical history. We provide information on the testing process, risks and benefits of testing, implications for family members, elements of informed consent, and a broad overview of the medical management options.
Testing Process
Our nurse practitioners can help determine if genetic testing is appropriate for you. We facilitate the testing process and discuss insurance coverage and pre-verification options. A small sample of blood or a mouth rinse or saliva sample are taken and sent to an outside lab for analysis. We will contact you when results are available.
Post-Testing Follow-Up
After test results are available, we will interpret the results and explain the implications. Based upon the family history and/or genetic test results, each patient receives information on the methods available to reduce their risk of cancer. This may include discussion of screening strategies, chemo prevention and prophylactic surgery.
Your test results will be shared with your primary care provider. If a referral is needed for additional services, we can help with that process.
Insurance
If genetic counseling is appropriate for you, we can work with you to gather detailed information about insurance coverage.
Confidentiality
There is current federal legislation that provides protection from genetic discrimination to individuals enrolled in group health insurance plans. The genetic counselor will provide you with information about genetic discrimination and review the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act with you before you have genetic testing.
Clinical Trials
Patients are often invited to participate in appropriate clinical genetic research and registries.
Forms
To learn more about Hall-Perrine Cancer Center’s High-Risk Cancer Genetic Services, call (319) 398-6732 or, for scheduling, call (319) 861-7778.
Genetic Services is located in the ReNew Center located on the first floor of the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center.
