Genetic Services: When, Where, How

 If cancer runs in your family, when do you need genetic services?

There are many features that can be present in a family that would indicate a referral is needed for genetic services. The following is a general (partial) checklist of characteristics that may indicate an increased risk of familial cancer or a heritable cancer syndrome. The symptoms of genetic diseases may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis and a complete list of characteristics:

Family History:

       ___ a family history of multiple cases of the same or related types of cancer
     
       ___ one or more relatives with rare cancers

       ___ cancers occurring at an earlier age of onset than usual (for instance, under the age of 50 years) in at least one member

       ___ bilateral cancers (two cancers that develop independently in a paired organ, i.e., both kidneys or both breasts)

       ___ one or more family members with two primary cancers (two original tumors that develop in different sites)
                      
       ___ Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish background

Where to find genetic services:

Genetic services are usually available in large hospitals or medical centers. The local phone book or physician directory may help you identify a genetic service provider in your area. Consult your physician for more information.

The National Cancer Institute has a Web site available to search for cancer genetic professionals by geographic area:  http://www.cancer.gov/search/genetics_services/. This Cancer Genetics Services Directory is a directory of individuals who provide services related to cancer genetics (cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, genetic susceptibility testing, and others).

How genetic services can help:

Genetic services can provide the following:

• information about the significance of your family history in terms of your risk of developing cancer and the chance that you have a cancer genetic syndrome
  
  
• a diagnosis of a cancer genetic syndrome by physical examination and/or genetic laboratory testing
  
  
• details about the availability of genetic testing for cancer risk and the pros and cons of such testing
  
  
• information about how/why a cancer genetic syndrome occurred (in most cases)
  
  
• details about the chance for the cancer genetic syndrome to reoccur in the family and individual relatives’ chance of having and passing on a mutation in a cancer susceptibility gene
  
  
• recommendations for the management and treatment of the cancer genetic syndrome
  
  
• support groups for the cancer genetic syndrome
  
  
• connections to other families who have a similar/same disorder

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