Comprehensive Cancer offers Cancer Genetic Counseling
Cancer Genetic Counseling is available at Comprehensive Cancer Centers to help people determine potential cancer risks and is becoming an important part of the discovery process in oncology. Not everyone with a cancer gene will develop cancer, but their risk is greatly increased and many people with these genes develop cancer at younger ages than the rest of the population making screenings potential lifesavers.
Our cancer genetic nurse practitioners help provide insights and guidance to navigate potential health risks.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers’ Cancer Genetic Nurse Practitioner:
How Does Cancer Genetic Screening Work?
If you are interested in learning more about your genetics, and associated risks, genetic risk assessments begin with outlining a complete family history. With genetics, a family history serves as foundation for risk assessment, and is critical for identifying people with increased risks for developing certain cancers.
When compiling a complete family history, you’ll need information about your parents, uncles, aunts, your brothers and sisters and even your own children. The team of cancer genetic nurse practitioners at Comprehensive Cancer will look to assemble detailed information on anyone in your family who has a history of cancer and how that may affect your risks. This information can include their ages at diagnosis, treatment they had and if they survived or passed away. This information will prompt further discussions to determine what other genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes may be necessary.
For additional testing recommendations, education on the genetics of cancer and syndromes that are hereditary will be shared with patients. Honest and open discussions are important steps in the process and critical to making informed decisions.
An important part of the testing process is information on specific tests being performed and what results mean. People going through the process will also gain an understanding of the risks of passing a gene mutation to a child, fees involved in testing, options and limitations of medical surveillance and strategies for prevention after testing and the importance of sharing your genetic test results with at-risk relatives.
Privacy and Personal Safety
Given the results that testing can bring about, some may be concerned that they could be discriminated against if inherited cancer gene mutations are present in test results. In 2008, the federal government enacted a law called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which protects Americans against discrimination based on their genetic information pertaining to health insurance and employment. This may not apply to life or disability insurance policies and you are encouraged to investigate their policies prior to testing.
GINA law makes it illegal for health insurers to request, require, or use genetic information to make decisions about your eligibility for health insurance as well as your health insurance premium, contribution amounts, or coverage terms. In addition, GINA makes it against the law for health insurers to consider family health history or a genetic test result as a preexisting condition, ask or require that you have a genetic test, use any genetic information they do have to discriminate against you, even if they did not mean to collect it.
How to Get Started
The genetic testing performed at Comprehensive Cancer Centers requires only a saliva (buccal) sampling. The simple procedure takes only minutes with an oral rinse process obtaining DNA from the lining of your mouth, which is then processed in the laboratory for analysis.
The entire process is relatively simple, and can provide powerful knowledge and resources for the future.
Get Cancer Genetic Screening at Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Comprehensive Cancer Centers’ cancer genetic nurse practitioner Michelle Bigg, MSN FNP BC, AOCNP, has received specialized training from an intensive cancer genetic risk assessment program at City of Hope. Barbara and Michelle offer thorough consultations and put together comprehensive medical care plans tailored to the individual and their family. Call 702-822-2000 to schedule an appointment today.
The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.