Clinical Cancer Genetics

Genetic Testing and Counseling

Appointments: (214) 645-HOPE, or toll-free (866) 460-HOPE (4673)

Director: David Euhus, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Genetic Counselors: Annette Patterson, M.S.; Linda Robinson, M.S.; Pia Banerji, M.S.

Southwestern Medical Center offers a genetic cancer risk assessment service.  By identifying high-risk families we can help them understand their risk of developing cancer as well as their options for prevention, early detection, and treatment.

In many families a pattern of cancer is obvious.  In other families a pattern may not be so easily seen due to a small family size or an incomplete family history.  Current estimates are that at least 5 percent of all cancers are due to a specific inherited syndrome and approximately 10 percent of cancers are familial.

Characteristics of cancers that are inherited:

• A cancer occurring at an unusually young age compared with the usual presentation of that type of cancer

• Development of more than one type of cancer in an individual

• Family history of cancer of the same type in close relatives

• High rate of cancer within a family

• Related cancers in the same family (e.g., breast and ovarian; colon and endometrial)

One of the main reasons to seek cancer genetic counseling is to determine if you or your family members are at an increased risk of cancer.  If it is determined that there is an increased risk of cancer, certain preventive measures may be undertaken to reduce your risk of actually developing the disease.  Further, discovering that you or your family members are not at increased risk of cancer can relieve anxiety and can avoid unnecessary intensive monitoring strategies.

During a genetic risk assessment a complete family history may be obtained.  Key medical records will be obtained and reviewed in order to document the history.  The basis of how cancer can occur and be inherited will be discussed.  A cancer risk analysis and calculation will be done.  The patient will be informed about the advantages and limitations of the genetic testing.  All of the information discussed will be documented in a letter that will be sent to you following the visit.

Genetic testing may also be done.  It is possible to look for changes in genetic material or genes that are related to cancer.  Since some of these changes or alterations can be inherited, it is possible to detect these changes in your blood or the blood of your family members who do not have cancer.

Genetic testing can currently be done for breast and colon cancer.  Other types of cancer testing may be available based on your family history.