Cancer is a common disease with complex causes, but recent advances in cancer genetics have led to the identification of genes that—when altered—can put some individuals at risk for cancer. The genetic counselor can help a person or family understand their risk for certain cancers, educate the person or family and perform a genetic screening.

The cancer risk assessment and counseling process includes:

		A detailed family medical history
		Development of a multi-generational family tree/genogram
		Education, counseling and support
		Identification of risk
		Genetic testing as indicated
		Communication with health care provider

The Regional Cancer Center provides counseling and genetic testing for the following syndromes:

		Breast cancer
		Gynecological cancers: ovarian, uterine and fallopian tube
		Gastrointestinal cancers: colon, rectal, pancreatic and gastric
		Genitourinary cancers: kidney
		Endocrine cancers: thyroid, pituitary and adrenal
		Skin cancers: melanoma

Our center also provides counseling and genetic testing for the following syndromes:

		Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations)
		Cowden syndrome
		Li-Fraumeni syndrome
		Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (Lynch syndrome)
		Colon polyp syndromes: famililial adenomatous polyposis, MYH-associated polyposis, juvenile polyposis
		Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome
		Melanoma syndrome (familial atypical multiple moles)
		Rare syndromes such as: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, hereditary paraganglioma syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 and type 2 syndrome, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome, hereditary papillary renal cell cancer syndrome

If you are concerned about your risk of cancer and would like to make an appointment or have any questions, please contact our genetic counselor.

Genetic Counselor - Mary Ann Orlang RN, MSN, AOCNS

What is a genogram?

A genogram is a pictoral representation of a patient's family tree with details of their medical history. It allows the patient to see hereditary patterns that might affect them.