How do I know if I'm at an increased risk for hereditary cancer?
If you answer yes to any of the questions below, you may consider making an appointment with a genetic counselor.
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I have had cancer.
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I have two or more first-degree relatives (parent, brother, sister, child) who have had cancer.
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I have one first-degree relative and two or more second-degree relatives (grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew) on one side of my family who have had cancer.
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I have one or more family members who were diagnosed with cancer before age 50.
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I have one or more family members who have had cancer in paired organs (example: breasts, ovaries).
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There is at least one man in my family who has had breast cancer.
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There is a known genetic mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, in my family.
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I am of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
Make an Appointment
To set up a genetic counseling appointment, call 520-694-CURE (2873).
Most insurance companies do cover genetic counseling without a referral.
Most cancers are caused by random mutations in one's genes, but 5 to 10 percent of cancers are hereditary. For those in families whose cancers may be inherited, help is needed to map out a family history, survey the risks and plan for the future. These situations are best served by genetic counseling.
The University of Arizona Cancer Center's genetic counselor, Jessica Ray, MS, CGC, is the only genetic counselor in Tucson who specializes in cancer. Ray's job is to guide patients through the process of determining if a hereditary factor exists for cancers that have shown up in their families.
The process begins with an analysis of the medical history of the individual and a cancer history of the family. If a hereditary link is suspected, Ray may recommend a blood test to search for a mutation.
"If we can establish what caused the cancer, then we can identify what risks exist to other people in the family and take preventative actions in order to stop the trend of multiple generations being affected by cancer," says Ray.
Although some may wonder why they need a counselor to review the blood test results with them, the reality is the results may cause complications of which many are not aware.
"A lot of issues come along with genetic testing like insurance coverage, discrimination possibilities and psychological issues. No one wants to hear they have these high risks of developing cancer, and I think people need to be in the right place in their lives before learning of those risks," says Ray.
The results of genetic counseling can suggest there is no genetic link - that a person's risk is equal to that of the general population. A positive genetic correlation, on the other hand, may lead a person to face life-altering decisions to reduce cancer risk. A genetic counselor can help that person weigh his or her options and to make a knowledgeable, informed decision.
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