Cancer Genetic Counseling

Genes are the heart and brain of our development.  They dictate the color of our eyes, our complexion and most certainly our susceptibility to develop certain illnesses, among which, Cancer is one that we are most concerned about.  Is there a way to determine if we are predisposed and carry a higher risk of developing certain cancers?  Can we predict at what age we may develop an illness?  And if so, what can, or rather, shall we do about it. 

With recent advancements in science and technology, we now have a better understanding of the role that certain genes play in human body.  Certain aberrations ( mutations ) or change in some genes can make us prone to develop an illness that may have a fatal outcome.  Some breast cancer patients have a genetic aberration in their cells.  Their children may inherit this genetic abnormality and as a result be at higher risk to develop Breast cancer.  Our goal is to try to make sense out of all this information.  and:

• Understand the risk of developing a cancer

• Understand the value of genetic testing

• Determine the appropriateness of genetic testing

• Realize the risk of developing certain cancers such as: Breast, Colorectal, Ovarian cancer, etc.

• Plan for testing and understand the results

• Learn about potential preemptive treatment options

Genetics and inheritance are felt to be linked to development of the following cancers

1. Breast Cancer

2. Ovarian Cancer

3. Colon and Rectal Cancer

4. Prostate Cancer

5. Certain type of Thyroid Cancer

Many other cancers have been seen in aggregates in certain families.  Certainly genes play a role in determination of our risks of developing a particular kind of cancer.  The difficult task is the determination of the risk and the appropriate genetic tests.  Once the test results are know, the next step would be interpretation of the results and understanding the potential to develop a cancer.

Cancer Genetic issues: