Knowing your family’s health history — especially when it comes to cancer — is a vital part of preventive care that can save lives. If you have a family history of cancer, genetic testing is an important step toward giving you a clear picture of your risks and creating a plan focused on your good health moving forward.

What is hereditary cancer?

To get a better grasp on how genetic testing for cancer works, you need a basic understanding of hereditary cancer. The majority of cancers occur by chance and arise in those with no strong family history, but hereditary cancer is caused by genetic factors. This means it can be passed down by families through specific genes or gene mutations.

It’s important to note that only about 5-10% of cancers are hereditary. But if you’re at an increased risk, you may need screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies more frequently — and at a younger age — than other people.

Who’s at risk?

Identifying your risk level for hereditary cancer starts with paying attention to a few important factors. Here’s what you should keep an eye on when it comes to family members:  

Multiple cancer diagnoses:   
A combination of cancers on the same side of the family is a risk factor. Watch out for:

• Two or more breast/ovarian/prostate/pancreatic cancers
• Two or more colorectal/uterine/ovarian/stomach/pancreatic cancers

Age of diagnosis:
Any breast cancer diagnosis at age 50 or younger and any colon or uterine cancer diagnosis at age 64 or younger in your family means you may be high risk.

Rare cancer diagnosis:
Any of these rare cancers in your family may indicate you are high risk:

• Ovarian cancer
• Male breast cancer
• Triple-negative breast cancer
• 10 or more cancerous gastrointestinal polyps

Online tools like this one will immediately let you know if your family history prompts any red flags for hereditary cancer.

What is genetic testing for cancer?

If you’re high risk, genetic testing for cancer is one of the best ways to take control of your health. That’s because when the information collected from a genetic cancer test is used appropriately, the mortality associated with a cancer diagnosis is usually decreased.

A typical genetic cancer test uses your blood or saliva to screen for more than 25 cancer types including breast, ovarian, colorectal, uterine, melanoma, pancreatic, stomach, and prostate cancers. The test also looks for gene mutations that may cause your risk to be higher.

Genetic testing is helpful in guiding decisions about cancer prevention (including the recommendation for risk-reducing surgery or chemoprevention in individuals without a diagnosis of cancer). Most insurance plans do cover genetic testing, and out-of-pocket costs are usually less than $100.

Many patients worry they can be treated unfairly by insurance companies if they have a genetic mutation. But patients are protected by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 which prohibits discrimination by health insurance companies and employers based on genetic testing results or information.

How do I manage my risk?

Everybody is different, and that means prevention strategies will vary depending on the results of your genetic test. For example, possible risk management recommendations for people who have a high risk for breast cancer might include close and continuous observation, which may mean having a breast MRI with your annual mammogram. Preventive surgery or medication might also be an option. The goal is to prevent cancer entirely — or to at least find it at the earliest possible stage when it’s most treatable. 

It’s important to share results of genetic testing with your family because they may impact their cancer risk as well. If you test positive for a genetic mutation, close family members have up to a 50% chance of the same genetic mutation.

How do I get genetic testing for cancer?

We offer genetic testing for cancer right here at Hendricks Regional Health. Ask your primary care provider if you have concerns about your family’s history of cancer, and they can refer you to the right genetic testing professional.
Our oncology team at Hendricks Regional Health not only works with patients to evaluate cancer risks, but also creates customized preventive wellness plans. It’s all part of our promise to do everything we can to give you, your family, and the people of our community a happier, healthier future.

Are you looking for more information about how to keep your family healthy? Take a look at our blog for more tips and information!

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