Is genetic counseling right for you?

Most cancers happen by chance, but for some families, there is an inherited risk factor. How do you know if the cancer in your family is associated with an inherited risk, and when should you consider genetic counseling? 

Kelly Morse, MS, LCGC, manager and senior genetic counselor for the ProMedica Cancer Institute's Genetics Programs explains how genetic counseling works.

Inherited Cancer Risk

While most cancers are sporadic and randomly occurring, some people can have a genetic mutation that is passed from generation to generation and can make their bodies more susceptible to developing specific types of cancers. “It's estimated that about 5-10% percent of all cancers are due to an inherited risk factor,” Morse shares.

Morse says that specific cancers can have a higher association with an inherited risk. For example, up to 20-24% percent of people diagnosed with ovarian cancer will have an underlying hereditary risk factor, compared to about 10% of breast cancers, and 5-10% of colon cancers. “So really, the initial type of cancer drives how statistically likely it might be due to an inherited risk,” Morse shares.

Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling

There are many situations where a patient may be a good candidate for genetic counseling. Patients who are diagnosed with breast, ovarian, pancreatic or metastatic prostate cancers should consider genetic counseling Other good candidates include patients who are diagnosed with any type of cancer at a young age and patients diagnosed with a more uncommon type of cancer.

Benefits of Genetic Counseling & Genetic Testing

Genetic counseling and genetic testing can be beneficial for patients currently undergoing cancer treatment and for their family members. “It may help the patient who is currently undergoing treatment by giving them and their providers additional therapeutic options or clinical trials, or aid in decision making regarding their treatment,” Morse shares.

It can also be informative for family members to determine if they are at an increased risk of developing cancer. This could help them reduce their risk for cancer or detect it early.

Process of Genetic Counseling

During a visit with a genetic counselor, the counselor will review your medical information and family history to determine if you have a higher likelihood for a hereditary cancer risk. If you decide to move ahead with genetic testing, you will typically have your blood drawn to identify any genetic mutations related to hereditary risks for cancer. About two to four weeks later, you will receive your results from the genetic counselor and additional steps will be discussed. 

If you have questions about whether genetic testing is right for you, a genetic counselor is the ideal person to talk to. They can share information about the benefits and costs and address any concerns or questions you may have to help you make an educated choice of what’s best for you and your family.