Genetic testing and counseling; a genetic counselor will collect personal and family history and additional background information to help patient decide what tests might be best.

Genetic testing, through blood and/or saliva tests, can help people understand their risk for cancer, help them make medical decisions, and take steps to lower their cancer risk or detect cancer early. Genetic testing will then help patient and their physicians make medical decisions to proactively take steps to prevent or lower cancer risk and complete appropriate screening to detect cancer early.

Genetic counseling may be advised if your personal or family history includes any of the following:
-- 2 or more close/primary family members with the same or related forms of cancer
-- Cancer diagnosed younger than age 50
-- Bilateral or multiple primary cancers
-- More than one cancer type in a family member
-- Ovarian cancer
-- Pancreatic cancer
-- Male breast cancer
-- Triple-negative breast cancer
-- Family history of a known gene mutation, including BRCA1 and MLH1
-- Colon or endometrial tumors with abnormal MSI/IHC
-- 10 or more gastrointestinal polyps
-- Metastatic prostate cancer

Patient needs a physician referral to have a genetic counseling consultation so visit with your oncologist, family medicine physician, or OBGYN. Upon this referral, a genetic counseling session at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center will be scheduled.