Cancer Genetic Testing at St. Jude Heritage Medical Group
Most cancers are not inherited; they usually develop sporadically, most
often in older adults. Approximately 10 percent of the time, however,
inherited gene alterations (mutations) are the reason a cancer develops.
Genetic testing is useful in determining whether a mutation increasing
the risk of cancer is present.
You may benefit from a cancer genetic risk assessment if you have a personal
and/or family history of:
- Cancer at a young age, i.e. breast, uterine, or colon cancer before 50
- Triple negative breast cancer before age 60
- More than one breast cancer with first diagnosis before 50
- Ovarian cancer
- Personal history of breast and ovarian cancer at any age
- Male breast cancer or aggressive prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Ashkenazim Jewish heritage with a history of breast, ovarian or pancreas cancer
- Personal history of uterine and colon cancer at any age
- More than 10 colon polyps
- More than two melanomas, especially if first diagnosis before 50
- More than one cancer diagnosis in one person
- Multiple generations of family members with similar cancers
Scheduling Your Consultation
The first step is to obtain a referral from one of your physicians to Cancer
Genetic Counseling services at St. Jude Heritage Medical Group. After
your referral is received, you will be contacted by our program assistant,
who will ask you to complete a questionnaire documenting your personal
medical history and your family cancer history. Once your questionnaire
is returned, the program assistant will go over any questions, discuss
insurance coverage for genetic services and will then schedule your consultation.
Your Cancer Genetic Risk Evaluation
Your initial visit (approximately 90 minutes) is a consultation with our
genetic counselor, who will review your personal and family history in
detail and explain how this information is used to assess your risk of
developing cancer. If genetic testing is recommended, the counselor will
describe possible test results and the implication of test results for
you and your family members. Following the information and education about
hereditary cancer and genetic testing, you will decide whether you want
to undergo testing. Genetic testing is a personal decision; it is never
required. If genetic testing is not appropriate, the counselor will explain
why and will provide individualized medical management recommendations
based upon your risk evaluation.
Genetic Testing
If testing is suggested and you are ready to proceed, you will be asked
to supply a small blood or saliva sample to obtain your DNA. Your sample
will be collected on site and then sent to a specialty laboratory. The
laboratory will analyze your sample looking for mutations (alterations)
in your DNA. Depending on the number of genes analyzed, and insurance
requirements, test results arrive on average, in two to four weeks. When
results become available, you will return to have a second meeting with
the genetic counselor, where your results will be explained, questions
answered and specific medical management recommendations provided. Examples
may include increased cancer screening exams (i.e., breast MRI, more frequent
colonoscopies), risk-reducing medication and in some cases, consideration
of preventive surgery.