Could your family history reveal an inherited cancer risk?
Your family history can provide important clues about your risk for certain cancers. While most cancers are not inherited, some are linked to genetic changes that can be passed from parent to child. Genetic testing can help identify some of these inherited changes and may help your care team develop a more personalized screening or prevention plan.
“Genetic testing can help us better understand a patient's risk, but it is only one piece of the picture,” says general and breast-focused surgeon Susan Hagen, MD, FACS. “Even when genetic testing is negative, a strong family history may indicate that someone needs a more personalized screening plan.”
Are you at increased risk?
Nearly 1 in 4 patients meet criteria for hereditary cancer testing1
Although most cancers occur by chance, some cancers are hereditary, meaning a higher likelihood of developing cancer is passed down to you and your genes. Genes—which come in pairs, one copy from each biological parent—play a role in almost every human trait and disease. How you look (your height and eye color) and how your body works (blood type) are examples of your genetic make-up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your genes also influence how your body reacts to health conditions, such as infections; to medicines or other treatments for health conditions; or to certain behaviors, such as smoking or alcohol use. Importantly, your genes can also be linked to diseases that run in your family.
You may benefit from genetic testing if you or your family have:
- Cancer diagnosed at a younger age, particularly before age 50
- Multiple relatives with the same or related types of cancer
- Ovarian, pancreatic or male breast cancer in the family
- A personal history of breast cancer
- Other patterns of cancer in your family that may suggest an inherited risk
You may qualify for breast cancer genetic testing if you have:
- Personal history of breast cancer at any age
- Family history of:
- Breast cancer at age 50 or younger
- Two breast cancers in one relative at any age
- Three breast cancers in relatives on the same side of the family at any age
- Male breast cancer at any age
- Triple negative breast cancer at any age
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with breast cancer at any age
How genetic testing works
Genetic testing typically uses a blood or saliva sample to look for inherited genetic changes that may increase cancer risk. It does not diagnose cancer.
The simple genetic test analyzes 63 genes associated with 11 hereditary cancers, including breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, skin, lung, gastric, ovarian, endocrine, uterine, renal and others. By identifying inherited genetic changes linked to cancer risk, testing helps provide a clearer understanding of your personal risk profile.
If you believe you are at increased risk for certain types of cancers, the first step is to schedule a consultation with a provider at Boulder Valley Surgical Associates (BVSA). The experienced team at Boulder Community Health’s BVSA can help determine whether genetic testing is right for you, order the test and guide you through the process from sample collection to results review.
Once your results are available, you will work directly with your provider to understand the findings and discuss any recommended next steps.
What your results might mean?
- Negative: No concerning inherited genetic change was identified. Your family history and other factors may still affect your cancer risk.
- VUS (variant of uncertain significance): A genetic change was found, but there is not enough information to know whether it affects your cancer risk.
- Positive: An inherited genetic change associated with increased cancer risk was identified. Your provider can discuss what it means for you and your family.
Interpreting your test results
Your genetic results are just one part of your overall risk assessment. Depending on your results and family history, your provider may recommend additional screening or steps to reduce your cancer risk.
As medical knowledge advances and your family history evolves, your screening recommendations may change.
Wondering if genetic testing is right for you?
Talk with a BVSA provider about your personal and family history. They can help determine whether genetic testing may be appropriate and guide you through the process.
To make a consultation appointment, call 303-415-4599.
Learn more about the team at BVSA.
- DeFrancesco et al. Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetic Testing in the Community-Practice Setting. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2018 – published online before print October 10, 2018
About genetic testing
Boulder Valley Surgical Associates (BVSA) partners with Myriad Genetics to offer patients The MyRisk® Hereditary Cancer Test. With the MyRisk test from Myriad Genetics, patients will receive a personalized five-year and lifetime breast cancer risk for eligible patients based on genetic markers, medical history, and family history. Boulder Community Health (BCH) does not recommend interpreting test results without the guidance of a board-certified genetic counselor or healthcare provider.