Oncology Genetic Testing & Counseling
For patients and families with hereditary cancer, genetic services at Cancer Care can guide decisions about screening and treatment.
Decoding Inherited Links to Cancer
To treat cancer patients more effectively, Cancer Care offers oncology genetic testing and counseling to patients and families. Qualifying patients consult with a board-certified nurse practitioner with more than 10 years of experience in oncology.
In 5%-10% of cancer cases, harmful differences in genes inherited at birth can influence if a patient develops certain types of cancer. Genetic testing can currently look for mutations associated with these cancers including:
Certain types of breast cancer in women
Breast cancer in men
Colorectal cancer
Endometrial cancer
Gastric cancer
Kidney cancer
Melanoma
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
Oncology genetic services, which require referral, are recommended based on personal and family medical history. We use the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines in recommending genetic counseling. Patients who might benefit from a genetics consultation include those with:
Relative with a known inherited genetic mutation associated with cancer
Personal or family history of cancer diagnosis before age 50
Multiple relatives diagnosed with the same cancer
Multiple relatives diagnosed with different cancers linked to same genes
At Cancer Care, board-certified nurse practitioner Angie Taylor, AGN-BC, FNP-BC, provides oncology genetic services by referral. She is certified in genetics through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Genetic counseling is covered by many insurance carriers but check with your insurance company to be sure. The genetic counseling process typically includes:
Review of family medical history
Discussion of the role of genetics in cancer
Cancer risk assessment
Simple blood or saliva test, if candidate for genetic screening
Review of test results
Personalized recommendations for risk reduction and enhanced screening
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Radiology plays an important part in screening and early detection for breast cancer and lung cancer. Breast cancer screening starts with mammography. Lung cancer screening uses low dose CT.
Cancer Screening
Radiology plays an important part in screening and early detection for breast cancer and lung cancer. Breast cancer screening starts with mammography. Lung cancer screening uses low dose CT.