Genetic Counseling

Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute understands the importance of cancer prevention and early detection. That’s why our High Risk and Cancer Risk Reduction Program features the area’s only licensed and board-certified genetic counselors.

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with cancer, genetic testing may be right for you. Having specific cancers can increase the chance of being diagnosed with the same cancer or different cancers in the future. Since some cancers can have a genetic cause and run in families, let the Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute genetic counselors help you understand how genetic testing may be helpful for you and your family.

What is a genetic counselor?

Genetic counselors have specialized education in medical genetics and counseling. There are many types of genetic counselors. At Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute, our licensed and board-certified genetic counselors specialize in assessing individuals and their families for heredity cancer syndromes.

Genetic counselors work with you and your care team to:

Understand if you have a higher than average risk of developing cancer
Determine the genetic tests that may be right for you
Discuss what the genetic test results may mean for you and your family

The genetic counselors at Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute work together with your care team and other support specialists to:

Educate you and your family regarding your genetic test results
Understand you and your family members’ genetic risks for cancer
Provide personalized support
Empower you to make informed health care decisions
Develop a personalized cancer surveillance plan, if indicated

Genetic counselors partner with your primary care physician and specialized care teams, inside and outside of Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute, to integrate your genetic information into your overall healthcare plan.

Genetic counselors will ask questions to help determine if genetic testing is right for you. Questions will center around your specific:

Health history, including any previous cancer diagnoses
Family health conditions, including relatives who have had cancer
Lifestyle factors that may impact your health

If genetic testing is appropriate for you, your genetic counselor can help you understand the implications of having the testing done, possible results, and how results may impact you and your family members.

Cancer Risk Assessment

Take our self-assessment to see if a referral to the Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute High Risk and Cancer Risk Reduction Program is right for you.

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Genetic Testing Frequently Asked Questions

How likely is the average person to be diagnosed with a genetic cancer in their lifetime?

It is important to understand that most cancers are not related to a family history of cancer. It is estimated that 5 – 10% of cancers are related to genetics in some way. Many other cancers are related to lifestyle choices such as eating an unhealthy diet, sun exposure, lack of exercise and smoking.

Who should consider genetic testing?

Red flags in a personal or family history which may suggest a hereditary cause of cancer include:

Several family members with the same or related forms of cancer, often in multiple generations
Cancer occurring at a young age of onset (before age 50)
Individuals with bilateral (such as cancer in both breasts) or multiple, brand-new cancers
Rare cancers or cancer in the less commonly affected gender (such as male breast cancer)
A lack of environmental risk factors

The decision to have genetic testing is a personal choice. If you decide to move forward with genetic testing, we will schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss your results. The testing process can take anywhere from three weeks to several months, depending on the test that is ordered. In addition to reviewing your test results, you will be given cancer screening and/or prevention recommendations that are tailored to your specific situation. You will also be connected to additional educational resources and other services at Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute.

How is genetic testing done?

Most genetic testing is done on a blood or saliva sample. Follow up tests may be recommended based on your results. Genetic counselors don’t perform the testing, but they recommend and order the appropriate testing and help interpret the results.

Depending on your results, your genetic counselor may discuss some lifestyle options and/or refer you to the Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute High Risk Clinic to help develop a plan for your cancer screenings and care.

A family member has cancer. Who should be tested?

The best person to be tested is the person in your family who has cancer. If a mutation is identified that may have caused their cancer to occur, then first-degree relatives (parents, sibling and children of the individual with the mutation) may want to consider being tested to see if they also carry the same mutation.

Does having a mutation mean I will get cancer?

Discovering that you have a genetic mutation does not mean you will develop cancer. Knowing that you have a mutation means you can work with the High Risk and Risk Reduction team to monitor and address your known cancer risks. This can help prevent cancer or detect it early, when it is most treatable.

My testing did not show a genetic mutation, now what?

If tests do not show a mutation for cancer, it may still be recommended that you be followed by the High Risk & Cancer Risk Reduction Program for surveillance. Not having a genetic mutation does not mean you won’t get cancer. With current technology and testing, hereditary genetic variants are currently thought to contribute to 5 – 10% of cancers. Other variables such as lifestyle and prior history of cancer may also call for increased observation.

Does genetic testing ever need to be redone?

If your genetic testing was done prior to 2013, it is likely that updated testing involving the analysis of more genes is now available. Talk to your genetic counselor about any additional options available to you.

Genetic Counseling

What is a genetic counselor?

Cancer Risk Assessment

Genetic Testing Frequently Asked Questions

How likely is the average person to be diagnosed with a genetic cancer in their lifetime?

Who should consider genetic testing?

How is genetic testing done?

A family member has cancer. Who should be tested?

Does having a mutation mean I will get cancer?

My testing did not show a genetic mutation, now what?

Does genetic testing ever need to be redone?

High Risk and Cancer Risk Reduction Program

Cancer care teams

Nutrition

Genetic Counseling

What is a genetic counselor?

Cancer Risk Assessment

Genetic Testing Frequently Asked Questions

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