Health Tips: Hereditary Cancer
Sutter Women's Services
Are you at Risk for Cancer?
Unfortunately, most of us are familiar with cancer – whether through someone we know or our own diagnosis. Cancer is a common disease with approximately one in three individuals diagnosed in his or her lifetime, according to cancer geneticist Maude Blundell, MS, CGC, with Sutter Cancer Center.
"The reason cancer develops is often unknown," says Blundell. "It may be caused by a combination of factors, including environmental exposures or lifestyle. For five to ten percent of individuals with cancer, the disease has a hereditary component, meaning the individual has inherited a change in DNA that increases the risk for cancer."
Who is at high risk for hereditary cancer?
"If you think you have a genetic risk for cancer, you could consider being evaluated," says Blundell. She offers the following as common reasons patients seek out her services:
- You have had cancer and are concerned about the risk of additional cancers for yourself and family members.
- A close family member or several family members have had cancer and you want to determine if your own risk is elevated.
- Multiple relatives on the same side of the family have had the same types of cancer.
More specifically, Blundell cites these circumstances as ones in which genetic evaluation could be most helpful:
- Individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer at a younger age than is typical (for example: breast cancer diagnosed under age 40, or colorectal cancer diagnosed under age 50)
- Individuals diagnosed with more than one cancer
- Families/ Individuals with certain combinations of cancer: breast and ovarian, or colon and uterine
- Men diagnosed with breast cancer, or a woman who has a close male relative diagnosed with breast cancer
- Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry who have a personal or family history of breast and or ovarian cancer
How does genetic evaluation work?
Typically, Blundell first holds a counseling session with her patients. "We'll review medical records and family history. Based on this information genetic testing may be offered. The patient then has the option of whether or not to proceed with testing. There are different risks, benefits and limitations of testing depending on the patient. Genetic testing for hereditary cancer is only appropriate for some individuals.”
What happens if you find out your cancer risk is elevated?
“We’ll develop a plan if tests indicate you have an elevated risk,” says Blundell. “You’ll have options regarding surveillance, surgery and possible chemo prevention to help you.”
Learn more about Sutter Cancer Center's Cancer Risk Program, or call (916) 454-6660.
