Evaluating your genetic cancer risk
At MultiCare, we provide comprehensive cancer care that addresses your needs from the beginning, even prior to a formal diagnosis. Our cancer genetics services include testing and counseling to help you learn more about your risk for certain types of cancer. Understanding this risk can help bring peace of mind and inform next steps for supporting your long-term health and well-being. The availability of genetic testing and counseling services may vary by location.
Genetic testing and genetic counseling services
Changes in your genes (mutations) can increase your risk for certain cancers, including breast cancer. When these gene mutations are passed down in families, from one generation to the next, they are often referred to as inherited cancer syndromes. According to the American Cancer Society, about 5 to 10 percent of cancers are known to be linked to these inherited mutations.
To help you better understand your risk of an inherited cancer syndrome, our team can provide:
Genetic testing. We take a sample of your tissue or blood to look for mutations that could lead to cancer.
Genetic counseling. Our genetic counselors meet one-on-one with you to discuss test results and what they mean for your health.
Having gene mutations that put you at risk for cancer does not always mean you’ll go on to develop cancer. Even if you do not have an inherited cancer syndrome, other factors can increase your risk. We may recommend that you:
- Lower your cancer risk with lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and quitting tobacco
- Catch the earliest signs of cancer through screening tests, such as mammography
How to access services
A referral is necessary for cancer genetics services, including genetic testing. We may recommend genetic testing based on your medical history, especially if you have:
- First-degree relatives (mother, father, sisters, brothers or children) with cancer
- Family members who had cancer at a young age
- Several relatives on one side of your family with the same type of cancer
- Family members with cancers linked to inherited cancer syndromes, including ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer
- A relative with more than one type of cancer