Understanding Your Genetic Cancer Risk
A Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment helps identify whether inherited genetic changes may increase a person's likelihood of developing certain cancers. It can be particularly useful for individuals with a strong family history of cancer, cancer diagnosed at a younger age, multiple relatives with related cancers, or certain patterns of cancer within a family.
What Does the Assessment Include?
The assessment may involve a detailed review of your personal and family medical history, evaluation by an appropriate healthcare professional, and discussion of whether hereditary cancer genetic testing may be suitable. Depending on the clinical situation, testing may examine genes associated with inherited risks for cancers such as breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, and other cancers.
Who May Benefit?
This assessment may be considered for people with a significant family history of cancer, previous cancer diagnoses that may suggest an inherited risk, or concerns about passing certain genetic risks to family members. Genetic counseling can help you understand what testing can and cannot tell you before making a decision.