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If cancer is common in your family or a loved one has been newly diagnosed, you know that the emotional weight can be heavy. It’s natural to feel anxious about what a family history of cancer might mean for you.
Genetic counseling and testing may help you replace worry with knowledge and proactive care.
Learning about your genetic makeup can offer you and your family peace of mind. It can help families facing cancer and those at risk by:
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Spotting a genetic syndrome early, even before cancer develops
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Answering questions about your family health history
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Helping you build a personalized prevention plan
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Connecting you with modern, targeted care if you develop cancer
Most cancers happen by chance or from a combination of aging, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures. Researchers have found that about 5% to 10% of cancers are caused by genetic syndromes that can be passed down in families. These genetic variations can result in a much higher risk of developing cancer in your lifetime, and at a younger age.
When should I see a genetic counselor?
Patterns in your personal and family health history can indicate a higher risk of inherited cancer. Talk with a genetic counselor if you or a family member experience any of the following:
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Female breast, colorectal, or uterine cancer before age 50
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Pancreatic, ovarian, metastatic prostate, or male breast cancer at any age
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Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry and a personal or family history of the cancers above
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Individuals diagnosed with more than one type of cancer
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Ten or more precancerous colorectal polyps
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Known genetic change that elevates your cancer risk
Inherited genetic variants don’t affect just one person. They’re shared across generations. First-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) have a 50% (1 in 2) chance of sharing the same genetic mutation as a person who tests positive.
Through a process known as cascade testing, your family members can choose to get targeted testing for the specific variant. In this way, knowledge “cascades” down the family tree, giving your loved ones an opportunity to take proactive, life-saving measures. Genetic counselors can help you practice communication strategies and provide you with educational materials to make difficult family conversations easier.
What is genetic counseling?
Genetic counseling is a collaborative conversation with an expert to help you understand your personal and family medical history.
Certified genetic counselors specialize in:
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Evaluating your family history data
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Providing psychological support
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Explaining complicated genetic concepts so they’re easy to understand
You work together to construct a detailed family health tree that goes back three to four generations. Known as a pedigree, this document is a living outline of your health history. By mapping out the ages and health diagnoses of your family members, your care team can assess your risk for cancer as well as the likelihood that your family harbors a cancer gene mutation.
Genetic counseling is available through an in-person or virtual appointment. You don’t need a referral to make an appointment.
What is genetic testing?
Genetic testing evaluates your genes to detect changes associated with elevated cancer risk. With a simple sample of blood, buccal swab, or saliva, we can check in the laboratory to find out if you have inherited genes that put you at higher risk.
Advances in modern genetic testing mean we can use next-generation sequencing (NGS) to look at dozens of genes at once. It’s like the difference between leafing through a book to look for a single word page-by-page and scanning chapters at a time.
Genetic counselors work alongside clinical geneticists and medical oncologists to translate your test results into medical management and treatment plans tailored to you. If we find a known genetic syndrome, we can guide you through your options. If we find a variant of uncertain significance (VUS)—a genetic mutation that may or may not be harmful—we can help ensure you don’t get unnecessary treatments or surgeries based on uncertain findings.
Not everyone who meets with a genetic counselor has genetic testing, and choosing testing is a personal decision. During the initial consultation, the genetic counselor will review the pros and cons of testing to aid in informed decision-making. For those who proceed with testing, results are usually available within a few weeks. Most major insurance plans cover both genetic testing and counseling.
How genetic counseling can benefit cancer care.
Structured surveillance and early detection.
A positive genetic result confirms you have an inherited gene mutation and transforms our care strategy into personalized surveillance. Instead of waiting for standard screenings based on your age, we can begin specialized monitoring much earlier, enabling us to detect cancer in earlier stages which increases survival rates and less aggressive cancer treatments are required. For example:
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Breast cancer risk: Enhanced screening can include annual breast MRIs starting at a younger age
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Colorectal cancer risk: Surveillance involves a colonoscopy every 1 to 2 years beginning in your 20s
Surgical and drug-based risk reduction.
For people at much higher risk, we can take proactive steps to significantly lower your chances of developing cancer. Depending upon your specific gene mutation and family history, options can include surgery such as a risk-reducing mastectomy or medications designed to block hormone receptors or stop abnormal cell growth.
Targeted precision therapies after diagnosis.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, genetic testing can reveal tumor vulnerabilities to help doctors choose targeted therapies designed for these weaknesses.
For example, BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations are behind some cases of breast, ovarian, prostate, or pancreatic cancers. We can use PARP inhibitor drugs that block the backup DNA system in cancer cells from making repairs. If we spot Lynch syndrome, which can play a role in colorectal and uterine and endometrial cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitor medications that harness your immune system can help.
MedStar Health genetic counseling for personalized cancer care.
MedStar Health brings medical oncologists, clinical geneticists, surgical specialists, gastroenterologists, and certified genetic counselors together for risk assessment and long-term care planning.
Our geneticists are integrated into the daily decision-making of our cancer treatment teams. We meet in formal tumor boards and collaborate with genetic counselors and specialists to review complex cases and provide advanced, targeted care.
Understanding genetic health helps you reclaim the power to protect your future. By revealing hidden risks, genetic counseling can turn uncertainty into a personalized plan for long-term health and early intervention.
