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Genertic Counseling
March 21, 2008 |
You can almost call Cindy Merrill a Cancer Detective. She spends her days
searching for hereditary cancers that only make up ten percent of all of the
cancers out there. But it’s that ten percent that is very important to Cindy and
her patients. Every day she counsels people about the role genetics can play in
cancer development. ”What I’m looking for are they types of cancer in the family
going back three generations and the ages they are diagnosed. They bring that
with them when they come back I will sit down with them and do genetic
counseling” she says. Once Cindy finds the family cancer history of a patient,
Cindy can usually tell if those patients could be a carrier of a mutated cancer
gene. “We have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes associated with breast and ovarian
cancer. When a person has mutation in the family each child has a 50.50 chance
of inheriting that male or female. I see a lot of patients who are worried about
their children and their grandchildren carrying this mutation.” After counseling
the patient can opt for a blood test to confirm whether or not they are a
carrier of a mutated cancer gene. Cindy says, “Many patients are relieved
they’re very pleased to hear that we have the testing in our community and that
we are able to do this testing.” Once patients find out if they have a mutated
gene, they can create a medical management plan with their physician. That could
include anything from extra mammograms or surveillance to preventative surgeries
that remove parts of the body that would likely become cancerous in the future.
Lee Cancer Care has been providing genetic counseling for the past eight years.
The counseling services are free of charge. The blood test can be expensive but
can sometimes be covered by insurance. |
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