Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling helps individuals and families understand their cancer risks and the benefits and limitations of genetic testing. Not all individuals who have genetic counseling have genetic testing; however, knowing the risks and options may be helpful.

Individuals and/or families who may want to consider genetic counseling include:

• Those diagnosed with cancer before age 50 (especially breast, colon, uterine and ovarian cancers)
• Those with multiple relatives with the same or related cancers(breast/ovarian and colon/uterine)
• Those diagnosed with more than one cancer
• Families in which cancer was diagnosed in more than one generation
• Those diagnosed with rare cancer or cancers that occur most frequently in the opposite sex (e.g. breast cancer in males)
• Those diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer in certain ethnic backgrounds (e.g. Ashkenazi Jews)

A certified genetic counselor is available by appointment at the Cancer Center at no charge. Please contact your doctor if you have any questions about whether genetic counseling is right for you. To make an appointment, call (910) 640-4077.