Page 4 - Elevate Winter 2021
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ELEVATE YOUR
FamilyWHEN CANCER IS A
AFFAIR
Do you have cancer in your genes?
Find out with genetic testing.
DOYOU HAVE your mom’s facial GENETIC COUNSELING EXPLAINED appropriate, you schedule an appointment
features, your dad’s eyes or your
grandmother’s personality? For the A genetic counselor is a healthcare for cancer genetic testing.
most part, your inherited traits are professional who helps you understand
nothing to worry about. But if close how DNA impacts you and your loved Your test requires a blood or saliva
family members have battled cancer, ones. Cancer genetic counselors focus on
though, don’t ignore their history. hereditary cancer risk. sample. This sample gets sent to the
“Individuals with a family history “Not everyone who sees us for genetic laboratory for evaluation. Based on your
of cancer may have an increased risk counseling undergoes testing,” Arnold
for developing cancer,” says Claire says. “When they do, genetic counselors risk factors, your sample gets tested for one
Arnold, MS, CGC, licensed genetic help them understand their test results.
counselor at Atrium Health Navicent. We discuss what to do with the results or more genetic mutations. These indicate
“This risk comes because family and how to use the information for their
members share genetics and often medical care. Ultimately, we’re trying to your risk of specific cancers.
environmental and lifestyle risk help people make informed decisions about
factors.” their healthcare.” Cancers that are commonly tested for
Afraid your family history puts you THE TESTING PROCESS include:
at risk? Don’t live in fear. Atrium Health
Navicent’s genetic counselors can Understanding your inherited cancer risk » Breast » Pancreatic
determine your risk and help you know begins with a meeting. During this meeting,
what to do next. you discuss your personal and family » Colon » Prostate
medical history with a genetic counselor. If
» Ovarian » Uterine
Two to three weeks after your test,
you meet with your genetic counselor to
discuss the results. A negative result allows
you to return to life as usual. A positive test
leads to further discussion.
MAKING USE OF GENETIC TESTING
If you have genetic mutations that put you
4 navicenthealth.org | WINTER 2021
