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Heredity Cancer Risk Assessment
What we know about genetics and cancer
Medical discoveries are rapidly expanding our understanding of the relationship between cancer and genetics. We know that certain cancers — such as breast, colon, ovarian, uterine, melanoma and pancreatic — are more likely to run in families. We can test for genetic links to those cancers. Also, there is increasing evidence that knowing your cancer risk factors, including genetics, can make a significant difference in your future health. It can promote:
- Preventive measures to reduce your risk of cancer
- Screening recommendations
- Treatment options
At BryanLGH Medical Center, we understand the anxiety cancer can cause in a family. Cancer risk assessment and genetic education can help you be more informed of your cancer risks. This can give you peace of mind from knowing you’re doing all you can to live a longer, healthier life.
Who should consider genetic education and testing?
Not all cancers are hereditary. In fact, almost 90 percent of cancers are attributed to environmental factors, lifestyle choices or a combination of reasons. You should consider a cancer risk assessment if your family history includes:
- Multiple family members in the same or successive generations affected with the same or related cancers, especially breast, colon, ovarian, uterine, melanoma and pancreatic
- Cancer diagnosis under age 50
- Diagnosis of more than one primary cancer in the same person
Our Services
Initial assessment
Your cancer risk assessment includes a complete personal and family medical history and information on inheritance patterns and risk factors. We will spend time with you to answer your questions and determine if genetic testing would be beneficial to you. We will also discuss insurance coverage, confidentiality and genetic discrimination.
Genetic education and testing
Before testing we meet with you to discuss the risks, benefits and limitations of testing for a genetic link to cancer. The emotional aspects of genetic testing will also be discussed with you. If testing is recommended, we will coordinate testing with your doctor and the laboratory. When results are available, your doctor or a nurse from our program will meet with you to review the results. If needed, we will talk about steps you can take to reduce your risk. This may range from simple lifestyle changes to increased screening activities or other medical options.
Support
We will support you throughout the process with information to make you knowledgeable of your situation and the options available to you. We also offer emotional support, and if you wish, will help share information with family members.
Program cost
The cancer risk assessment and genetic education costs $25. Testing costs and insurance coverage will be discussed with you before testing. Many health plans now cover genetic testing. We can work with you to gather information on your coverage.
Who should I contact for more information?
If you are interested in learning more about cancer risk factors, genetic education or are unsure whether you or your family would benefit from a cancer risk assessment, call: Ruth Van Gerpen, RN, MS, OCN, BryanLGH Medical Center, (402) 481-5400, or ask your doctor for more information. Ruth Van Gerpen is a clinical nurse specialist in oncology with additional education and training in hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic education.
